Daliot J, et al. – The experts examined the relationship between serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and human growth hormone (hGH) in newborns in terms of sex, gestational week, method of delivery, and anthropometric data. They reported a positive correlation between serum levels of PRL and hGH in newborns, which could be described by common regulatory factors or a drift phenomenon. They concluded that a higher gestational week was associated with a higher PRL/hGH ratio.

Methods

• In blood drawn from 225 newborns, the serum levels of PRL and hGH were measured.
• From medical records, the newborn data were extracted.

Results

• In investigations, a positive association was found between log–transformations of PRL and hGH (r=0.17; P=0.01; n=225), with a stronger correlation in newborns whose blood samples were taken more than 2 days after birth (r=0.42;P<0.001; n=130).
• Log–transformations of the PRL/hGH ratio demonstrated a positive correlation with the gestational week (r=0.39; P<0.001; n=200).
• Multiple regression analysis displayed that 15% of the variance in the logarithm of this ratio was attributed to the gestational week.