Abstract
While clinical signs suggestive of adrenal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid insufficiency are common in the human premature, previous biochemical estimations of newborn adrenal function employing a variety of biochemical methods have reported normal to high blood and urine concentrations of adrenal corticosteroids. Our studies were designed to examine longitudinally biochemical indices of adrenal function in premature and term infants between 30 and 42 weeks of gestational age. Urinary profiles from twenty-four hour urine samples collected in 4 hour aliquotes at weekly intervals were enzymatically hydrolyzed, derivatized to form methyloxime-trimethylsilyl ethers and analyzed by gas chromotography and mass spectrometry-selected ion capture. Severely ill infants were not studied but subjects were not otherwise excluded on the basis of clinical presentation or course. Clinical course including light-darkness (eye patching) and treatment were monitored.
The urinary steroid profiles from premature infants of 30–37 weeks gestational age do not reflect a continuous transition from the fetal 16 hydroxy 5-ene pattern to the 17 hydroxy-4-ene pattern of the mature adrenal. The results indicate that adrenal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid insufficiency may be a common finding in premature infants and may result in characteristic clinical features requiring replacement therapy. (Supported in part by NIH Grants RR01152 and RR69).
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gotlin, R., Pike, A., Christie, D. et al. 454 EXTRAUTERINE ONTOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN THE HUMAN PREMATURE. Pediatr Res 19, 186 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00484
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00484
