68 samples of amniotic fluid from 47 women with varying severity of diabetes mellitus
and 48 samples from 43 normal women were obtained in the 31st to 40th week of pregnancy
before onset of labour. The concentration of total Cortisol and the L/S-ratio in
amniotic fluid were determined and related to gestational age. There was a continuous
rise of total Cortisol with advancing gestational age in the diabetic pregnancies
similar to that found in normal pregnancy. Diabetic pregnancies were associated with
slightly lower amniotic fluid Cortisol levels without significant difference to values
found in normal pregnancy. The severity of the disease did not affect the Cortisol
levels in amniotic fluid. There was no correlation between total Cortisol levels and
L/S-ratios in amniotic fluid. Determination of total Cortisol in amniotic fluid can
thus not replace measurements of L/S-ratios to predict fetal lung maturation.
Diabetic Pregnancy - Amniotic Fluid - Total Cortisol - L/S-Ratio
