Maternal and cord plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels at delivery, in various ethnic groups in Israel. Preliminary report.

This study was carried out to evaluate the maternal venous and umbilical cord blood levels of cortisol and aldosterone at spontaneous delivery in three ethnic groups in Israel (Ashkenazic, Sepharadic and Oriental) (n = 47). The mean maternal plasma cortisol level of the Sephardic group was significantly lower than were those of the other groups (P less than 0.01). Cord plasma cortisol level was similar in the three groups. No statistical differences were noted between the maternal and cord plasma cortisol levels in the three groups. The mean maternal and cord plasma aldosterone level was lowest in the Sephardic group. There was a good correlation of maternal and cord aldosterone levels in all of the groups. A positive statistical correlation detected in our study between levels of maternal plasma cortisol and cord plasma aldosterone is of interest, but needs more investigation before an appropriate explanation can be formulated. The ethnic differences in hormonal changes at birth observed in this study are preliminary results, and further investigations are being conducted to clarify these findings.