Precursors and metabolites of catecholamines in umbilical blood serum of full-term newborns and their after-birth adaptation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the indices of catecholamines exchange in umbilical blood serum of full-term neonates in some peculiar cases of delivery and to estimate the possibility of some pathological processes in early adaptation period. It has been shown that the content of dopamine degradation products decreases in umbilical blood serum of full-term newborns delivered by cesarian section and after induced labor. Amniotomy and induced labor with prostin lead to the increase of the content of dopamine precursor which level expresses synthesis of transmitter. The indices of catecholamines during the course of early adaptation period have been analyzed. The elevation of dopamine precursor concentration in umbilical cord blood serum of newborns may be associated with the development of icteritous, haemorragic syndromes and the syndrome of intrauterine infection. These features of dopamine metabolism should be taken into account when some therapeutic measures are performed in early adaptation period.