Elevated Concentrations of Prolactin, Human Growth Hormone and Human Placental Lactogen in Cord Sera Obtained from Light‐for‐Date Babies Near Term

Summary The prolactin levels in maternal and cord sera and in amniotic fluid were determined at term to investigate the physiological roles of prolactin in the developmental processes of the human fetus. Relatively high levels of prolactin in cord sera and in amniotic fluid were obtained in neonates with birth weight less than 2500g (low‐birth‐weight). In contrast, lower prolactin levels in amniotic fluid were found in neonates over 3500g. The concentrations of both human growth hormone (hGH) and human placental lactogen (hPL) in cord sera from low‐birth‐weight babies were also elevated. These data suggest that observed increased levels of prolactin as well as hGH and hPL may have some relevance to the pathophysiology of the low‐birth‐weight baby.