Somatomedin in cord blood: relationship to gestational age and birth size.

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.