Abstract
Objective. To verify whether adrenomedullin (AM) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations are changed in the maternal and fetal circulation in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared to normal pregnancies, and to determine any relationship between them.Methods. Forty-six small for gestational age (SGA) and 34 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants were included in the study. Umbilical and maternal venous AM and NO concentrations were determined.Results. Umbilical NO concentrations in SGA infants (mean ± SD; 176.2 ± 75.8 μmol/L) were significantly greater than in AGA infants (143.4 ± 39.2 μmol/L) (p = 0.015). However, umbilical AM concentrations were similar in SGA and AGA infants with 14.2 ± 4.4 pmol/mL and 14.5 ± 6.2 pmol/mL, respectively (p > 0.05). There was no relationship between NO and AM levels in umbilical blood (r = 0.09, p = 0.40). No difference was found between either AM or NO levels in the maternal plasma of the two groups.Conclusions. We suggest that NO is increased in the fetoplacental circulation in SGA infants probably as a response to decreased blood flow, whereas AM is not. Additionally, increased NO in the fetoplacental circulation was found to be independent from AM secretion.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
