Erythropoietin and cord blood haemoglobin in the regulation of human fetal erythropoiesis

  1. ROSLYN M. THOMAS1,2,
  2. CELIA E. CANNING3,
  3. P. MARY COTES3,
  4. DAVID C. LINCH1,
  5. C. H. RODECK4,
  6. C. E. ROSSITER5,
  7. E. R. HUEHNS1

Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb09318.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 90, Issue 9, pages 795–800, September 1983

Additional Information

How to Cite

THOMAS, R. M., CANNING, C. E., COTES, P. M., LINCH, D. C., RODECK, C. H., ROSSITER, C. E. and HUEHNS, E. R. (1983), Erythropoietin and cord blood haemoglobin in the regulation of human fetal erythropoiesis. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 90: 795–800. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb09318.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Haematology, The Medical School, University College, University Street, London WC1E6JJ

  2. 2

    Department of Paediatrics, The Medical School, University College, University Street, London WC1E6JJ

  3. 3

    Division of Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex

  4. 4

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King's College Hospital, London

  5. 5

    Division of Computing and Statistics, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
  3. Received 28 January 1983 Accepted 5 April 1983

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Summary. Erythropoietin was estimated by radioimmunoassay in serum from 78 cord blood samples, collected in the second and third trimesters in 72 pregnancies. In 43 samples obtained during or after normal pregnancy (from 19 to 42 weeks gestation) erythropoietin levels increased with gestation. Cord blood haemoglobin also increased with gestation, but the rate of increase was less during the last weeks of pregnancy. Erythropoietin levels were similar in the cord blood of infants of the same gestation, whether born vaginally or by caesarean section. The fetus can respond to severe anaemia or hypoxia with increased erythropoietin levels as early as 24 weeks gestation. Elevated erythropoietin levels were found in two out of eight infants born after labour in which there was ‘acute’ fetal distress, suggesting the presence of unrecognized chronic fetal hypoxia in these pregnancies.

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