Isolated Defect in Human Placental Lactogen Synthesis in a Normal Pregnancy

A deficiency in the synthesis of human placental lactogen (hPL) was found in a woman in her second pregnancy. Other placental hormone levels were normal. The woman gave birth to a healthy female infant. hPL deficiency is rare and a survey of the literature has revealed only one previous case report which described the birth of a male infant. The present report of a hPL deficiency is the first associated with the birth of a normal female infant.