All issues > Volume 32(10); 1989

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1989;32(10):1402-1407. Published online October 31, 1989.

Cord Blood Insulin Concentration in Premature Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Soo Jung Keum¹, Rak Won Choi¹, Mi Youn Chung¹, Dong Hyuck Kum¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Koryo General Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Received: December 30, 1988;  Accepted: June 7, 1989.

Abstract

Insulin seems to exert an inhibitory effect on lung maturation. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in neonates of diabetic mothers is significantly greater than that observed in age-and weight-matched controls. Thus hyperinsulinemia may be an important factor in the developemnt of RDS. We investigated the relationship between cord blood insulin concentration and subsequent develop- ment of RDS in 32 premature neonates born at Koryo General Hospital from Apr. 1987 to May 1988. Ten neonates developed RDS, whereas the remaining 22 had no evidence of any respiratory symptoms on follow-up. The results were a follows: 1) Mean cord blood insulin concentration in preterm neonates with RDS was significantly higher than the value observed in healthy preterm neonates. 2) Preterm neonates with severe or moderate RDS had similar plasma insulin concentration. 3) No correlation between gestational age and insulin was observed in either of the two groups. 4) The hyperinsulinemia cannot be attributed to either hyperglycemia or hypercortisolism. 5) Serum Insulin, glucose and cortisol concentrations at 5 days of age were similar in two groups.

Keywords :Insulin, Respiratory distress syndrome