PEDIATRICS Vol. 88 No. 3 September 1991, pp. 481-485
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Circulating Catecholamine Concentrations in Cocaine-Exposed Neonates: A Pilot Study

Mark Mirochnick MD1, Jerrold Meyer PhD2, Jean Cole MS1, Tim Herren PhD3, and Barry Zuckerman MD1

1 The Department of Pediatrics, Boston City Hospital and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
2 The Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
3 The Boston University School of Public Health

Twenty newborns, 12 with prenatal exposure to cocaine and an unexposed control group of 8, were studied to determine concentrations of circulating catecholamines and their relationship to newborn behavior. Birth weight of the cocaine-exposed neonates was significantly lower than that of the control group. Gestational age, length, and head circumference of the cocaine-exposed neonates were also lower, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. Between 24 and 48 hours of age, circulating concentrations of norepinephrine, dopamine, and the catecholamine precursor dihydroxyphenylalanine were measured and behavior was assessed using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale. Mean dihydroxyphenylalanine concentrations were increased in the cocaine-exposed newborns (10.3 ng/mL vs 5.9 ng/mL, P = .055), while there was no difference between the groups in mean norepinephrine or dopamine concentrations. There was a significant negative correlation between norepinephrine concentration and orientation cluster score for the cocaine-exposed newborns (rp2 .6979,P .005). Norepinephrine concentration did not correlate with the score for any other behavioral cluster, nor did dopamine or dihydroxyphenylalanine concentration correlate with the score for any cluster. These preliminary data from a pilot study suggest that catecholamine activity is increased in cocaine-exposed newborns and may play a role in neurobehavioral disturbances associated with prenatal exposure to this drug.

Key Words: cocaine • catecholamines • neonate • behavior

Submitted on July 23, 1990
Accepted on October 23, 1991




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