LAUSR

Abstract Objective To determine the basic pituitary-ovarian hormones and ultrasound parameters of uterine appendages in full-term and preterm newborn girls. Materials and methods One hundred full-term and premature newborn girls (58 and 42, respectively) were studied with clinical, instrumental, laboratory (enzyme immunoassay) and statistical methods. Results Statistically significant differences in the pituitary-ovarian hormones and ultrasound parameters of uterine appendages in preterm neonate girls compared to full-term girls were defined. The pituitary hormone levels (follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone levels) were higher in preterm newborn girls [0.15 (0.06–0.53) and 0.06 (0.05–0.08) (p = 0.0001); 0.03 (0.00–0.23) and 0.00 (0.00–0.03), (p = 0.003)]; the ovarian hormone levels (estradiol, anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin В levels) were lower [0.44 (0.25–0.85) and 1.55 (1.06–1.84) (p = 0.0001); 2.73 (2.12–3.65) and 3.66 (2.59–5.0), (p = 0.026), 60.81 (37.19–128.80) and 104.75 (54.35–159.18), (p = 0.019), respectively]. Ultrasound investigation showed that the ovarian reserve in preterm neonates was smaller compared to the full-term neonates [38.48 (22.01–56.49) and 102.47 (85.36–111.37), (p = 0.0001); 36.95 (25.21–70.59) and 108.05 (91.74–116.44), (p = 0.0001), respectively (p = 0.0001)]. The number of antral follicles in the slice was also statistically significantly smaller [2 – in the right ovary, 1 – in the left ovary, vs. 4 and 4, respectively (p = 0.0001)]. Conclusion Premature neonates have different pituitary-ovarian hormones and ovarian size compared to full-term babies.