Neonatal catecholamine levels and neurodevelopmental outcome: a cohort study.

AIMS—To determine whether neonatal plasma catecholamine concentrations can be used to predict (a) death plus disability and (b) motor and cognitive impairment at 5 years of age. METHODS—A cohort comprised 136 preterm infants from two randomised controlled trials of neonatal sedation (1989-1992). Adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) were measured at baseline (first day) and 24 hours later. Intelligence and motor ability were assessed at 5-6 years. RESULTS—Infants who died or sustained disability had significantly higher plasma noradrenaline levels on the second day of life. Noradrenaline levels above 9.0 nmol/l were most predictive of death (likelihood ratio 3.27; 95% confidence interval 1.48 to 7.23) and death plus disability (likelihood ratio 3.55; 95% confidence interval 1.77to 7.10). There was no correlation between neonatal catecholamine levels and cognitive or motor impairment at 5-6 years. CONCLUSIONS—Elevated noradrenaline levels are associated with adverse outcome in preterm infants; however, the power to predict death or disability is limited and they are not predictive of later motor or cognitive impairment.