Role of Fetal Adrenal Glands

Abstract

The role of fetal adrenals in the maturation of fetal lungs is not clear as yet. The anencephalic baby, with rudimentary adrenal glands, may be considered an excellent model for the study of this subject. The maturation of fetal lungs was determined in 3 anencephalic monsters and in 2 microencephalic babies. As a measure of fetal pulmonary maturation the foam test and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) were used, as determined in the amniotic fluid. In the anencephalic babies, fetal pulmonary maturation was lacking, while in the microencephalic infants there were definite signs of lung maturation.

Allometric Growth of the Adrenal Gland in Brazilian Fetuses

“…The importance of the adrenal gland in the viability of the extra-uterine life has been studied hardly (Peleg, 1978;Artal, 1980;Buster, 1980;Seron-Ferr6, 1981). Its participation on the lung maturation (pneumocyte II), on the adrenal medulla maturation and on many enzyme systems maturation (liver, lung, pancreas, small intestine, thyroid) has been described.…”