11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in pregnancies complicated by hydatidiform mole.

Problem: 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) plays an important role in regulating active glucocorticoid reaching the fetus. In normal pregnancy, placental 11beta-HSD functions primarily in oxidative direction. Placental tissue of patients with pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia exhibit significantly lower type 1 and 2 11beta-HSD activities and significantly high cortisol level in cord blood suggesting fetal exposure to higher level of active glucocorticoids.