Gestational and Postpartum Plasma Diamine Oxidase Values

Plasma diamine oxidase (PDAO) has been measured using the method of Okuyama and Kobayashi as modified by Southren et al. Our results are in close agreement with those on normal pregnant subjects in Southrenʼs group. However, our data do not support the view that plasma enzyme curves fall precipitously in the presence of fetal distress and falling estriol excretion rates. In fact, we have found that intrauterine fetal death is not incompatible with high PDAO values. Similarly, intrauterine growth retardation and low estriol excretion rates are frequently associated with high PDAO values. Postpartum PDAO values have been found to show a 32 to 62% decrease in one day as compared with a drop of approximately 80% in estriol values for the same period of time.