Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1997;77:F237-F238 ( November )
Plasma prolactin concentrations after caesarean section or
vaginal delivery
Lindsay Heasman,a
John A D Spencer,b
Michael E Symondsa
a School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, University of
Reading, Reading, Berks, b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Northwick Park
Hospital NHS Trust
Correspondence to: Dr Michael E Symonds, Department of Child Health,
Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital,
Nottingham NG7 2UH.
Accepted 11 June
1997
The umbilical venous plasma prolactin concentrations of three
groups of term infants were compared immediately after birth. Samples
were taken following seven vaginal deliveries, eight emergency caesarean sections performed during labour, and 12 elective
caesarean sections before labour. Mean concentrations of prolactin were significantly lower in the elective caesarean section group compared with the labour groups. This result indicates that the fetal
hypothalamic-pituitary axis is stimulated during labour which could
explain the increase in plasma prolactin concentrations at birth.
Keywords:
caesarean section;
labour;
prolactin
© 1997 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
