PLASMA DOPAMINE-BETA-HYDROXYLASE IN NEWBO RN - CHANGES WITH MATURATION AND OBSTETRICAL EVENTS

The aim of the study was to determine plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity (DBH) in newborn infants and possible changes with maturatio n, mode of delivery and maternal disease: pregnancy-induced hypertensi on and gestational diabetes. DBH activity was determinated by high per formance liquid chromatography from 82 neonatas divided in 2 groups: g roup I: 27 neonates (age: 1 to 8 days) including 6 preterm and 21 full -term neonates; group II: 55 full-term neonates divided in 5 classes: A: vaginal delivery; B: forceps ; C: elective caesarean section; D: va ginal delivery and maternal hypertension ; E: vaginal delivery and ges tational diabetes. The plasma DBH activity was low in neonates and not influenced by prematurity. Significantly lower DBH activity was found after caesarean section . Hypertension and gestational diabetes did n ot affect umbilical cord plasma DBH activity.