Rh. Grayson et al., CHANGES IN PLASMA PROLACTIN AND CATECHOLAMINE METABOLITE LEVELS FOLLOWING ACUTE NEEDLE STICK IN CHILDREN, Psychiatry research, 69(1), 1997, pp. 27-32
Changes in plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), homovanillic acid (HVA),
and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) following insertion of an i
ndwelling catheter into a forearm vein were assessed in 11 boys with a
ttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results indicated decreases i
n plasma PRL and HVA, but not MHPG, from the time of needle stick unti
l 105 min post-insertion. These data indicate a significant increase i
n plasma PRL and HVA in children following needle stick which graduall
y decreases over a 1.5-2-h period. These stress-induced changes indica
te that values obtained immediately after needle insertion cannot be a
ssumed to accurately reflect baseline levels. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc
e Ireland Ltd.