Background: Fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoids may determine fetal growth and the programing of later disorders. Availability of the glucocorticoids in the placenta is regulated by the 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11b-HSDs) enzymes. To date, there are discrepancies with regard to cortisol (F) cord blood levels in fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation in different species. Objective: To study the expression and activity of 11b-HSDs in placentas from full term small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) newborns, and cortisol cord blood concentration. Methods: Twenty-five placentas from AGA, 24 SGA and 25 LGA were collected. Results: SGA newborns had significantly lower and LGA newborns had significantly higher birth weight, birth length, head circumference, and placental weight than AGA counterparts. We observed a direct correlation between placental weight and birth weight, birth length and head circumference, and higher cord F levels in SGA newborns. The 11b-HSD1 expression was similar among the SGA, AGA, and LGA placentas. However, within the placentas of SGA newborns, the 11b-HSD1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the chorionic plate compared with basal plate. An inverse correlation between cord F levels and activity of 11b-HSD1 in the chorionic plate of the SGA placentas was detected. The 11b-HSD2 activity was seven-to eightfold higher compared with 11b-HSD1 in the placentas, and there was a lower 11b-HSD2 activity in females' SGA placentas compared with the male SGA placentas. Conclusion: We observed a lower expression and activity of 11b-HSD1 in the chorionic plate of the SGA placentas, suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism to diminish the higher cortisol fetal concentrations observed in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction.

Risk factors for preterm deliveries in a public hospital (Rev Med Chile 2012; 140: 19-29).

Urinary sucrose excretion is a good marker of mucosal gastric damage in children and may be used as a screening test in large groups of populations.

In humans, a direct relationship between IGF-I cord blood levels and birth weight has been demonstrated. To determine the placental IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-IR mRNA and protein contents in full-term pregnancies from appropriate for gestational age (AGA), small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) newborns, we studied the placentas from 35 AGA, 30 SGA and 28 LGA pregnancies. The IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) placental mRNA and protein contents were determined in the basal and chorionic plates of the placenta. IGF1 and IGF1R mRNA was higher in SGA compared to AGA and LGA placentas and lower in LGA compared with AGA placentas. In addition, a higher protein content of IGF-I and IGF-IR was observed in SGA compared with AGA and LGA placentas and lower contents in LGA compared with AGA placentas. These results suggest that the higher IGF-I and IGF-IR contents observed in SGA placentas and the lower contents observed in LGA placentas compared with AGA placentas may be influencing human fetal growth.