PLASMA NORADRENALINE AND ADRENALINE IN INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS AT BIRTH AND AT TWO HOURS OF AGE

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Abstract
Plasma noradrenaline [norepinephrine, NE] and adrenaline [epinephrine, E] in the umbilical artery were very high in many infants of both diabetic mothers (IDM) and non-diabetic mothers (controls) compared to values obtained in adults. Blood pH was slightly but significantly lower in IDM than in controls at delivery. There was a significant negative correlation between plasma NE and blood pH in IDM at birth, but no correlation between plasma NE and blood glucose, birth weight and Apgar scores. Plasma NE decreased significantly from birth to 2 h of age both in IDM and controls. At 2 h of age plasma NE and E were significantly greater in IDM compared to controls whereas blood glucose concentration was lower in the former group. There was a close inverse correlation between plasma NE and E, respectively, and blood glucose in IDM at 2 h of age but not in controls. The elevated plasma NE at delivery in IDM may be explained by clinically undetectable acidosis whereas elevated plasma catecholamines at 2 h are probably due to hypoglycemia.