Neonatal jitteriness of unknown origin and circulating catecholamines.

Jitteriness is a common problem affecting neonates. Although the cause can sometimes be determined by history or conventional laboratory evaluations, nevertheless, in many instances the cause of the jitteriness is unknown. To determine if either intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or elevated catecholamines are responsible for jitteriness in neonates, we studied 34 healthy term neonates with normal hematocrits, serum glucose, Ca, Mg, Na, K and P. Thirteen of the infants had jitteriness as their only clinical problem. There were no differences in Apgar scores, birthweight, or gestational age in the two groups. Norepinephrine levels were significantly elevated in the jittery group as compared to the control group: 1276 +/- 574 vs. 914 +/- 338, p less than 0.05. Epinephrine levels were not different in the two groups. Intracranial hemorrhage was not found in any of the patients. Jittery neonates have increased sympathetic activity. What influence the increased levels have on other metabolic and hormonal systems is yet to be determined.