Urinary content of 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and creatinine in full-term and premature infants.

Cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (c-AMP) and creatinine were measured in full-term and premature infants. In normals, values for c-AMP were highest on days 1 and 2 (1.3-1.5 nmol/ml) and decreased thereafter. In prematures the c-AMP values were significantly lower than in the full-term infants. There was a rough correlation with birth weight. Creatinine values were closely reflected by the c-AMP levels. Changes found in neonatal jaundice, hypocalcaemia, respiratory distress syndrome, and anoxia could be attributed to prematurity. No diurnal variation in c-AMP values was found.