Urinary catecholamine levels in the newborn infant
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Abstract:
The urinary concentrations of dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline were measured by a radioenzymatic method in 212 full-term and premature newborns. The ranges, means and standard deviations from birth to 4 days + are presented. The excretion of dopamine was ten times that of noradrenaline or adrenaline. The absolute concentrations of each catecholamine were reduced as birth weight decreased. The values were increased in babies with fetal distress. Any changes found in hypoglycaemic or jaundiced infants were attributable to prematurity. Very high levels were found in a few infants given tolazoline. We speculate that the role of dopamine production and excretion in the newborn has been underestimated. Dopamine may have an important role to play in the homeostatic mechanisms of the newborn.
More Related Videos
19:15Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
13:35A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites
Published on: March 1, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation
The Micturition Reflex
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Urine Studies I: Urinalysis