The association of birthweight with maternal and cord serum and amniotic fluid growth hormone and insulin levels, and with neonatal and maternal factors in pregnant women who delivered at term

Aim: To investigate the influence of maternal and cord serum and amniotic fluid growth hormone (GH) and insulin and other neonatal and maternal factors on birthweight. Methods: A total of 160 pregnant women at 38–42 weeks' gestation were studied. All infants were categorized as small for gestational age (SGA) (n=50), large for gestational age (LGA) (n=50) or average for gestational age (AGA) (n=60). GH and insulin levels were measured in maternal and cord serum and amniotic fluid at birth. Results: GH levels in maternal and cord serum and amniotic fluid showed no differences among the three weight groups (P>0.05). The cord insulin level was significantly lower in SGA (P