Does maternal blood cortisol entrain fetal diurnal rhythm?

Naoki Horimoto, Seiichi Morokuma, Hitoo Nakano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate whether maternal blood cortisol acts as an entrainer of the fetus, we compared diurnal variations in the fetal heart rate (FHR) of two cases with Cushing's syndrome, under condition of glucocorticoid replacement therapy after adrenalectomy. Subjects: The Maternal cortisol concentration in Case 1 showed bimodal change, at 31 and 38 weeks' gestation, while the concentration in Case 2 was found to have an abnormally high level with no diurnal variation at 30 weeks and a monomodal pattern at 34 weeks. Results: The FHR patterns in both cases demonstrated similar developmental change: a remarkable diurnal rhythm comparable to control cases was observed at 34-38 weeks. Analysis of spectral 1/f characteristics revealed, however, that Case 1 exhibited a pattern equivalent to control cases, whereas in Case 2, FHR values did not display overt diurnal variation. Conclusions: The diurnal rhythm of FHR develops irrespective of daily variation in maternal cortisol concentration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)55-64
Number of pages10
JournalEarly Human Development
Volume76
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Does maternal blood cortisol entrain fetal diurnal rhythm?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this