Objective: To investigate the relationship between maternal plasma noradrenaline levels at a mean gestational age of 29 weeks and gestational age and weight at birth.
Design: Original research.
Sample: Seventy-four pregnant women with a mean gestational age of 29 weeks.
Methods: Psychological anxiety levels (Spielberger State and Trait questionnaire) and plasma stress hormone levels (noradrenaline and adrenaline) were measured in pregnant women at a mean gestational age of 29 weeks. Statistical analysis was applied to investigate links between these variables and gestational age and weight at birth.
Outcome measures: Self-rating anxiety, State and Trait Spielberger questionnaire, maternal noradrenaline and adrenaline levels, gestational age and weight at birth.
Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between maternal noradrenaline levels and the infant gestational age at birth (r = 0.09, p = 0.05). There was no relationship between maternal noradrenaline levels and weight at birth.
Conclusions: There was a significant inverse relationship between maternal noradrenaline levels and gestational age at birth, suggesting the possibility of underlying mechanisms linking maternal noradrenaline and timing of delivery.