[Serum cortisol and ceruloplasmin determination in neonates with intrauterine growth retardation]

Abstract

The authors have shown recently that coeruloplasmin deficiency was associated with severe respiratory distress in premature neonates. In the present study they measured the serum cortisol and coeruloplasmin levels in 58 intrauterine growth retarded infants. The results were compared to the data of 44 appropriate for gestational age neonates. Both parameters showed association with the fetal distress in term babies (cortisol: 17.2 vs 12.3 ug/100 ml, coeruloplasmin: 29.7 vs 11.9 U/l). Coeruloplasmin activity was also higher in growth retarded prematures (48.5 vs 16.5 U/l), while cortisol concentration increased irrespective of intrauterine malnutrition. There was a significant positive correlation between serum cortisol and coeruloplasmin in dysmaturity. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for coeruloplasmin, an important extracellular antioxidant enzyme in the precocious development of intrauterine growth retarded infants.