Catecholamines (Urine – Children <16 y.o.)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Refer to Testing Lab link

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

UCAT, UR24

Test Code (Numeric Code)

7310

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

List all medications on the request form

Registration

Register additional code UR24 if the collect is a 24 hr urine. If the urine is a casual sample, enter under clinical details “casual urine”. Take specimen and photocopy of the request form to Biochemistry to acidify within 2 hrs of collection

Laboratory

Casual urine from children (<16 y.o.) is acceptable, but must be acidified within 2 hrs of collection. Please transport urine in a urine tube

Sample Stability

Catecholamines are not stable. Casual specimens must be acidified to a pH of 3 - 4 with 2 hours of collection. 24 hour urine collection must be in acid bottle (20mL 6mol/L HCl).

Synonyms

Metanephrine (Urine - Children <16 y.o.), Adrenaline (Urine - Children <16 y.o.), Noradrenaline (Urine - Children <16 y.o.), Dopamine (Urine - Children <16 y.o.), CATS

Turnaround Time

1 week

Specimen Type

  • 24hr Urine
  • Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Acid Washed 24hr Urine Container
Preferred
  • Acidified 24hr Urine Container
Acceptable
  • BD Urine Tube (no additive)
  • Specimen Container
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

20

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • 24hr Urine Container
Acceptable
  • BD Urine Tube (no additive)
  • Specimen Container

Pre-testing Requirements

Catecholamines is the preferred test for the detection of neuroblastoma in children.
MMA & HVA will be measured automatically on samples from all children under 16yrs of age.

Last updated: 13/11/2026