OBJECTIVE: Estimation of reference values for basal serum concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OH-progesterone (17-OHP), plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, -4-androstendione ( 4A) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHA-S) in healthy children from Zaragoza. METHODS: Reference population were healthy children aged 0 to 14, with normal weight and height, living in the metropolitan area of Zaragoza (Spain). It is a transversal study. Reference values and ranges for ACTH, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OHP, PRA, aldosterone, 4A and DHA-S were estimated, and changes in concentrations were analyzed in relation to age, sex and puberal stage. RESULTS: Reference values have been classified by puberal stage and age in eleven groups for every sex: Tanner I (umbilical cordon, 3 days, 4-30 days, 1-6 months, 6 months-4 years, 4-7 years, 7-10 years, 10-14 years), Tanner II, Tanner III and Tanner IV-V. Sex did not influence ACTH, cortisol, 17-OHP and PRA concentrations, and there are punctual differences in 11-deoxycortisol, aldosterone, 4A and DHA-S levels. 17-OHP, 11-deoxycortisol and aldosterone concentrations significantly decreased from birth to 6 months-4 years and subsequently kept steady. The maximal concentration of ACTH, and ARP in blood cord significantly decreased until the period 6 months-4 years, and subsequent differences among different age groups, and between prepuberal and puberal groups are scarce. The highest concentration of 4A and DHA-S were observed in blood cord and third day of life, decreased until the lowest level in 6 months-4 years and progressively increased with age in prepuberty, and between prepuberty and puberty. The lowest concentration of cortisol was detected in 4-30 days, increased until 6 months-4 years and kept steady along the prepuberty and puberty. CONCLUSION: It is necessary that every population establish own reference values for ACTH, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OHP, PRA, aldosterone, 4A and DHA-S during infancy, childhood and adolescence, according to age, sex and puberal stage.
OBJECTIVE: Estimation of reference values for basal serum concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OH-progesterone (17-OHP), plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, -4-androstendione ( 4A) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHA-S) in healthy children from Zaragoza. METHODS: Reference population were healthy children aged 0 to 14, with normal weight and height, living in the metropolitan area of Zaragoza (Spain). It is a transversal study. Reference values and ranges for ACTH, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OHP, PRA, aldosterone, 4A and DHA-S were estimated, and changes in concentrations were analyzed in relation to age, sex and puberal stage. RESULTS: Reference values have been classified by puberal stage and age in eleven groups for every sex: Tanner I (umbilical cordon, 3 days, 4-30 days, 1-6 months, 6 months-4 years, 4-7 years, 7-10 years, 10-14 years), Tanner II, Tanner III and Tanner IV-V. Sex did not influence ACTH, cortisol, 17-OHP and PRA concentrations, and there are punctual differences in 11-deoxycortisol, aldosterone, 4A and DHA-S levels. 17-OHP, 11-deoxycortisol and aldosterone concentrations significantly decreased from birth to 6 months-4 years and subsequently kept steady. The maximal concentration of ACTH, and ARP in blood cord significantly decreased until the period 6 months-4 years, and subsequent differences among different age groups, and between prepuberal and puberal groups are scarce. The highest concentration of 4A and DHA-S were observed in blood cord and third day of life, decreased until the lowest level in 6 months-4 years and progressively increased with age in prepuberty, and between prepuberty and puberty. The lowest concentration of cortisol was detected in 4-30 days, increased until 6 months-4 years and kept steady along the prepuberty and puberty. CONCLUSION: It is necessary that every population establish own reference values for ACTH, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OHP, PRA, aldosterone, 4A and DHA-S during infancy, childhood and adolescence, according to age, sex and puberal stage.