Pediatric reference intervals for aldosterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 using tandem mass spectrometry.

OBJECTIVES: To determine age and sex-specific pediatric reference intervals for aldosterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3). BACKGROUND AND
DESIGN: Reference intervals were determined for neonates and children 0-18 years of age. The study was conducted at both Children's National Medical Center and Georgetown University using outpatient blood samples obtained between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2008.
METHODS: Serum samples were analyzed using isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with deuterium-labeled internal standards at Children's National Medical Center and Georgetown University Medical Center Bioanalytical Core Laboratory. RESULTS AND
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to provide pediatric reference intervals of steroid hormones for children from birth to 18 years of age using LC/MS/MS. Reference intervals were established for aldosterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3). All the analytes exhibited at least some age dependence. Sex differences between early and late childhood and adolescence were found for 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone. Seasonal differences were apparent for 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3).