Maternal plasma noradrenaline levels at 29 weeks and gestational age at birth

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between maternal plasma noradrenaline levels at a mean gestational age of 29 weeks and gestational age and weight at birth. Original research. Seventy-four pregnant women with a mean gestational age of 29 weeks. Psychological anxiety levels (Spielberger State and Trait questionnaire) and plasma stress hormone levels (noradrenaline and adrenaline) were measured in pregnant women at a mean gestational age of 29 weeks. Statistical analysis was applied to investigate links between these variables and gestational age and weight at birth. Self-rating anxiety, State and Trait Spielberger questionnaire, maternal noradrenaline and adrenaline levels, gestational age and weight at birth. There was a significant inverse relationship between maternal noradrenaline levels and the infant gestational age at birth (r = 0.09, p = 0.05). There was no relationship between maternal noradrenaline levels and weight at birth. There was a significant inverse relationship between maternal noradrenaline levels and gestational age at birth, suggesting the possibility of underlying mechanisms linking maternal noradrenaline and timing of delivery.