title: Urinary catecholamines, plasma renin activity and blood pressure in newborns: effects of narcotic withdrawal.
abstract: Blood pressure and plasma renin activity were studied in 13 infants of drug-dependent mothers (heroin and/or methadone) and 20 control newborns for a period of 21 days. Urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine were also measured at 24 and 48 h of age. The systolic blood pressure was found to be significantly elevated in newborns of drug-dependent mothers compared with controls (p less than 0.01), but diastolic blood pressure levels were similar. Plasma renin activity was significantly elevated (p less than 0.001) at 48-72 h and urinary epinephrine levels were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) at 24-48 h of age in the drug group, and norepinephrine levels were equivalent. Systolic hypertension and elevated plasma renin activity in these newborns of dependent mothers may be due to increased beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity.
mesh_terms: D002395:Catecholamines / Q000652:urine*; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D013599:Systole
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D003932:Heroin; D012083:Renin; D008691:Methadone