Influence of the stress of venepuncture on basal levels of plasma renin activity in infants and children.

The influence of venepuncture on plasma renin activity (PRA), cortisol, and serum noradrenaline and adrenaline concentration in infants and children was evaluated by comparing values obtained immediately on insertion of an indwelling intravenous line (venepuncture value) and 5 and 60 minutes later. PRA values 5 min after venepuncture in the total group of infants and children were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than venepuncture values. There was no significant difference between PRA values at 60 min compared to venepuncture or 5 min values. A well performed venepuncture does not systematically affect the PRA values obtained. A significant difference between values for noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol at the various points of time could not be demonstrated. The number of lower values for noradrenaline and adrenaline at 60 min, however, prevailed. The stress of a well performed venepuncture is not an explanation for the greater scatter of basal PRA levels in infants and young children.