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Full-Text Articles in Epidemiology
Association Between Umbilical Cord Glucocorticoids And Blood Pressure At Age 3 Years, Susanna Y. Huh, Ruth Andrew, Janet W. Rich-Edwards, Ken P. Kleinman, Jonathan R. Seckl, Matthew W. Gillman
Association Between Umbilical Cord Glucocorticoids And Blood Pressure At Age 3 Years, Susanna Y. Huh, Ruth Andrew, Janet W. Rich-Edwards, Ken P. Kleinman, Jonathan R. Seckl, Matthew W. Gillman
Public Health Department Faculty Publication Series
Background
Animal data show that decreased activity of placental 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), which potently inactivates glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) to inert forms (cortisone), allows increased access of maternal glucocorticoids to the fetus and 'programs' hypertension. Data in humans are limited. We examined in humans the association between venous umbilical cord blood glucocorticoids, a potential marker for placental 11β-HSD2 enzyme activity, and blood pressure at age 3 years.
Methods
Among 286 newborns in Project Viva, a prospective pre-birth cohort study based in eastern Massachusetts, we measured cortisol (F) and cortisone (E) in venous cord blood and …