Abstract
Prolactin has been thought to play a role in preventing mobilization of tissue water in the neonate. Serum levels of prolactin are low in premature newborns and this may lead to decreased intracellular water, brain shrinkage, capillary bleeding and subsequent IVH. The hypothesis that decreased prolactin levels contribute to development of IVH was studied by our group.
Sixteen premature neonates ≤ 32 weeks gestational age with a mean birthweight of 1125 gms were followed prospectively with serial neurosonograms for the development of IVH. Serum prolactin levels by RIA were analyzed from cord blood and on days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14.
Five neonates (m GA = 29.2 wk; m wt 1095 gms) with no IVH or gr I-II IVH were compared to 11 neonates (m GA 29.4 wk; m wt 1139 gms) who developed gr III-IV hemorrhage.
Mean serum prolactin levels (ng/ml) were:
Serum prolactin levels were comparable between the 2 groups. Our results do not support the concept of a pathogenetic role for prolactin in development of IVH.
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Layaoen, T., Jhaveri, R., Rosenfeld, W. et al. SERUM PROLACTIN IN INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVH). Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 170 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00460
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00460
