Urine steroid excretion rates in childhood reflect growth and activity of the adrenal cortex.

Normal ranges for daily urine steroid excretion rates in childhood are reported for the first time by gas chromatographic analysis using capillary columns and flame ionisation detector. Longitudinal data came from a study over 3 years of 127 normal boys (aged 7.5-15.6 years) studied on 5 occasions and 14 pubertal girls studied over 2 years. Cross-sectional data were collected from 115 hospitalized patients (58 males, 57 females) aged 2.9 to 14 years with normal adrenal function. The excretion rate of cortisol metabolites was constant for body size, whereas androgen metabolite excretion rates rose sharply in childhood to approach adult levels at the end of puberty. The new data will enable better interpretation of pediatric patient data.