Somatomedin in Cord Blood: Relationship to Gestational Age and Birth Size

Abstract

Somatomedin (SM) was determined by bioassay in cord blood from 100 neonates born at 24–42 weeks of gestation and from three infants with major congenital malformations. SM levels rose with gestational age and had a positive correlation with birth weight, length and head circumference independantly of gestational age. These findings suggest a relationship between somatomedin and fetal growth.