Liquid-chromatographic evaluation of age-related changes in the urinary excretion of free catecholamines in pediatric patients

Abstract

Pediatric patients (to age 18) without neuroblastoma show an age-related decrease in urinary excretion of each of the catecholamines - epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine - in relation to creatinine excretion. From these data, I have developed reference intervals for pediatric age groups. Application of these ranges to seven patients with neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma indicated a high clinical sensitivity for the urinary dopamine determination but significant false-negative results for epinephrine and norepinephrine.