LATE THIRD TRIMESTER UNCONJUGATED SERUM OESTRIOL LEVELS IN NORMAL AND HYPERTENSIVE PREGNANCY: RELATION TO BIRTH WEIGHT

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Abstract
In 100 normal singleton pregnancies and in 44 patients with pregnancy hypertension (pre-eclampsia) linear regression analyses demonstrated highly significant positive correlations between birth weights and late 3rd trimester maternal serum unconjugated estriol (E3) levels. Correlation coefficients increased, though not significantly, after standardizing birth weights according to maternal size, parity and sex of infant. Pregnancy hypertension was classified according to the duration of clinical signs. In 23 patients with short duration pregnancy hypertension (onset 14 days or less before delivery) neither maternal age nor birth weight differed from normal controls. Mid-pregnancy weights were greater and unconjugated E3 levels lower and only 1 infant was growth retarded. Twenty-one patients with long duration pregnancy hypertension (onset more than 14 days before delivery) were found on average to be heavier at mid-pregnancy and older than those in whom the condition was short-lived. Unconjugated E3 levels in patients with long duration hypertension were significantly below those in the short duration group. One-third of infants born following long duration hypertension were growth retarded.

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