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  • Abstract: Adrenal x
  • Abstract: Addisons x
  • Abstract: Adrenaline x
  • Abstract: Androgens x
  • Abstract: Catecholamines x
  • Abstract: hyperplasia x
  • Abstract: Cushings x
  • Abstract: Glucocorticoids x
  • Abstract: Medulla x
  • Abstract: Noradrenaline x
  • Paediatric Endocrinology Collection x
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Heike Hoyer-Kuhn Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

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Angela Huebner Department of Paediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany

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Anette Richter-Unruh University Children’s Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

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Markus Bettendorf University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

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Tilman Rohrer University Children’s Hospital Homburg, Homburg, Germany

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Klaus Kapelari University Children’s Hospital Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

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Stefan Riedl Department of Pediatric, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
St.Anna Kinderspital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Klaus Mohnike Department of Biometrics, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany

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Helmuth-Günther Dörr University Children’s Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

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Friedrich-Wilhelm Roehl Department of Biometrics, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany

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Katharina Fink Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, ZIBMT, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany

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Reinhard W Holl Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, ZIBMT, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany

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Joachim Woelfle University Children’s Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

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Objective

Treatment of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is necessary to compensate for glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid deficiencies and to suppress androgen excess. Hydrocortisone (HC) is preferred in growing children with classic CAH but recommendations regarding dosage/administration are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate HC dosing in children with CAH in relation to chronological age, sex, and phenotype based on a multicenter CAH registry.

Design

The CAH registry was initiated in 1997 by the AQUAPE in Germany. On December 31st 2018, data from 1571 patients were included.

Methods

A custom-made electronic health record software is used at the participating centers. Pseudonymized data are transferred for central analysis. Parameters were selected based on current guidelines. Descriptive analyses and linear regression models were implemented with SAS 9.4.

Results

We identified 1288 patients on exclusive treatment with hydrocortisone three times daily (604 boys; median age 7.2 years; 817 salt-wasting phenotype, 471 simple-virilizing phenotype). The mean (lower-upper quartiles) daily HC dose (mg/m² body surface area) was 19.4 (18.9–19.8) for patients <3 months (n = 329), 15.0 (14.6–15.3) for age ≥3–12 months (n = 463), 14.0 (13.7–14.3) for age 1–5.9 years (n = 745), 14.2 (14.0–14.5) for age 6 years to puberty entry (n = 669), and 14.9 (14.6–15.2) during puberty to 18 years (n = 801). Fludrocortisone was administered in 74.1% of patients with a median daily dosage of 88.8 µg.

Conclusion

Our analyses showed that still a high proportion of children are treated with HC doses higher than recommended. This evaluation provides comprehensive information on nationwide hydrocortisone substitution dosages in children with CAH underlining the benefit of systematic data within a registry to assess daily practice.

Open access
Britt J van Keulen Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, de Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Michelle Romijn Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, de Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Bibian van der Voorn Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Sophia Kinderziekenhuis, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Marita de Waard Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, locations AMC and VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Michaela F Hartmann Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany

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Johannes B van Goudoever Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, locations AMC and VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Stefan A Wudy Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany

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Joost Rotteveel Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Martijn J J Finken Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, de Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Objective

Sex-specific differences in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity might explain why male preterm infants are at higher risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity than their female counterparts. We examined whether male and female preterm infants differed in cortisol production and metabolism at 10 days post-partum.

Design and methods

This prospective study included 36 preterm born infants (18 boys) with a very low birth weight (VLBW) (<1.500 g). At 10 days postnatal age, urine was collected over a 4- to 6-h period. Glucocorticoid metabolites were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Main outcome measures were: (1) cortisol excretion rate, (2) sum of all glucocorticoid metabolites, as an index of corticosteroid excretion rate, and (3) ratio of 11-OH/11-OXO metabolites, as an estimate of 11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11B-HSD) activity. Differences between sexes, including interaction with Score of Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension-II (SNAPPE II), sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), were assessed.

Results

No differences between sexes were found for cortisol excretion rate, corticosteroid excretion rate or 11B-HSD activity. Interaction was observed between: sex and SNAPPE II score on 11B-HSD activity (P = 0.04) and sex and BPD on cortisol excretion rate (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

This study did not provide evidence for sex-specific differences in adrenocortical function in preterm VLBW infants on a group level. However, in an interaction model, sex differences became manifest under stressful circumstances. These patterns might provide clues for the male disadvantage in neonatal mortality and morbidity following preterm birth. However, due to the small sample size, the data should be seen as hypothesis generating.

Open access
Lisette van Alewijk Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Kirsten Davidse Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Karlijn Pellikaan Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Judith van Eck Department of Paediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Anita C S Hokken-Koelega Department of Paediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Academic Centre for Growth, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Dutch Growth Research Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Theo C J Sas Department of Paediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Diabeter, National Diabetes Care and Research Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Sabine Hannema Department of Paediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands

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Aart J van der Lely Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Laura C G de Graaff Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Academic Centre for Growth, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Objective

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with common endocrine disorders show a high dropout (up to 50%) after the transfer from paediatric to adult endocrinology. Little is known about transition readiness in rare endocrine conditions (rEC). This study aims to assess medical self-management skills (SMS) among AYA with rEC in relation to age and gender, in order to understand dropout and increase transition readiness.

Design

Cross-sectional study using web-based medical self-management questionnaires.

Methods

Questionnaires consisting of 54 questions in seven domains were filled out by the adolescents before the first shared appointment with both paediatric and adult endocrinologist.

Results

Fifty-seven patients (median age 17 years, 25/57 females) participated and generally scored well on most items. However, one out of seven did not know the name of their disorder, one sixth of the glucocorticoid users did not know that dose should be adapted in case of illness or surgery, over one-fifth had never ordered their repeat prescriptions themselves and two-thirds had never had a conversation alone with their doctor.

Conclusions

Several SMS among patients with rEC are insufficient, with regard to medical knowledge, practical skills and communication. As SMS are only weakly related to non-modifiable factors, such as age and gender, we recommend focussing on other factors to increase transition readiness. The timing, amount and ‘mode’ of medical information should be individualised. Transition checklists should be used to detect shortcomings in practical skills and communication, which can subsequently be trained with the help of parents, caregivers and/or e-technology.

Open access
Letícia Ribeiro Oliveira Interdisciplinary Group for Studies of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), School of Medical Sciences (FCM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

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Carlos Alberto Longui Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericordia de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Guilherme Guaragna-Filho Interdisciplinary Group for Studies of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), School of Medical Sciences (FCM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

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José Luiz Costa School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Poison Control Center, FCM, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Rafael Lanaro Poison Control Center, FCM, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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David Antônio Silva Laboratory of Physiology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Clinical Hospital, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Maria Izabel Chiamolera Fleury Group, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Maricilda Palandi de Mello Interdisciplinary Group for Studies of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), School of Medical Sciences (FCM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics Engineering (CBMEG), UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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André Moreno Morcillo Department of Pediatrics, FCM, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Andrea Trevas Maciel-Guerra Interdisciplinary Group for Studies of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), School of Medical Sciences (FCM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, FCM, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Gil Guerra-Junior Interdisciplinary Group for Studies of Sex Determination and Differentiation (GIEDDS), School of Medical Sciences (FCM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Department of Pediatrics, FCM, UNICAMP, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Objective

Steroid measurement is a challenge in pediatric endocrinology. Currently, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is considered a gold standard for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare both LC-MS/MS and immunoassay (IA) for androgens before and after human recombinant chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) stimulus in children with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD).

Methods

Nineteen patients with 46,XY DSD were evaluated; all of them were prepubertal and non-gonadectomized. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), DHEA and androstenedione were measured by IA and LC-MS/MS before and 7 days after rhCG injection. The correlation between IA and LC-MS/MS was analyzed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (SCC). For concordance analysis the Passing and Bablok (PB) regression and the Bland and Altman (BA) method were used.

Results

Testosterone showed excellent correlation (ICC = 0.960 and SCC = 0.964); DHT showed insignificant and moderate correlations as indicated by ICC (0.222) and SCC (0.631), respectively; DHEA showed moderate correlation (ICC = 0.585 and SCC = 0.716); and androstenedione had poor and moderate correlations in ICC (0.363) and SCC (0.735), respectively. Using the PB method, all hormones showed a linear correlation, but proportional and systematic concordance errors were detected for androstenedione, systematic errors for testosterone and no errors for DHEA and DHT. By the BA method, there was a trend of IA to overestimate testosterone and androstenedione and underestimate DHEA and DHT when compared to LC-MS/MS.

Conclusion

Traditional IA should be replaced by LC-MS/MS for the androgens measurement in prepubertal children whenever is possible.

Open access
Valentina Guarnotta Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Silvia Lucchese Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Mariagrazia Irene Mineo Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Donatella Mangione Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Renato Venezia Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Piero Luigi Almasio Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Carla Giordano Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza ‘G. D’Alessandro’ (PROMISE), Sezione di Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Objective

The aim of this study is to clarify, in girls with premature pubarche (PP), the influence of premature androgenization on the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design and patients

Ninety-nine PP girls, 63 who developed PCOS and 36 who did not develop PCOS, were retrospectively included. Clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters were evaluated at the time of diagnosis of PP and after 10 years from menarche to find predictive factors of PCOS.

Results

Young females with PP showed a PCOS prevalence of 64% and showed a higher prevalence of familial history of diabetes (P = 0.004) and a lower prevalence of underweight (P = 0.025) than PP-NO-PCOS. In addition, girls with PP-PCOS showed higher BMI (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), total testosterone (P = 0.026), visceral adiposity index (VAI) (P = 0.013), total cholesterol (P < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001), non-HDL cholesterol (P < 0.001) and lower age of menarche (P = 0.015), ISI-Matsuda (P < 0.001), DIo (P = 0.002), HDL cholesterol (P = 0.026) than PP-NO-PCOS. Multivariate analysis showed that WC (P = 0.049), ISI-Matsuda (P < 0.001), oral disposition index (DIo) (P < 0.001), VAI (P < 0.001), total testosterone (P < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) are independent predictive factors for PCOS in girls with PP.

Conclusions

Our study established a strong association between multiple risk factors and development of PCOS in PP girls. These risk factors are predominantly related to the regulation of glucose, lipid, and androgen metabolism. Among these factors, WC, ISI-Matsuda, DIo, VAI, total testosterone, and LDL-cholesterol predict PCOS.

Open access
Maki Igarashi Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Tadayuki Ayabe Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Kiwako Yamamoto-Hanada Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Keiko Matsubara Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Hatoko Sasaki Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Mayako Saito-Abe Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Miori Sato Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Nathan Mise Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan

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Akihiko Ikegami Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan

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Masayuki Shimono Regional Center for Pilot Study of Japan Environment and Children’s Study, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan

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Reiko Suga Regional Center for Pilot Study of Japan Environment and Children’s Study, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan

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Shouichi Ohga Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan

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Masafumi Sanefuji Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan

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Masako Oda Department of Public Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Japan

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Hiroshi Mitsubuchi Department of Neonatology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Japan

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Takehiro Michikawa Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

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Shin Yamazaki Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

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Shoji Nakayama Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

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Yukihiro Ohya Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Maki Fukami Medical Support Center for Japan Environmental and Children’s Study, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

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Objective

Ultra-sensitive hormone assays have detected slight sex differences in blood estradiol (E2) levels in young children before adrenarche. However, the origin of circulating E2 in these individuals remains unknown. This study aimed to clarify how E2 is produced in young girls before adrenarche.

Design

This is a satellite project of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study organized by the National Institute for Environmental Studies.

Methods

We collected blood samples from healthy 6-year-old Japanese children (79 boys and 71 girls). Hormone measurements and data analysis were performed in the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Medical Support Center of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, respectively.

Results

E2 and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly higher in girls than in boys, while dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and testosterone levels were comparable between the two groups. Girls showed significantly higher E2/testosterone ratios than boys. In children of both sexes, a correlation was observed between E2 and testosterone levels and between testosterone and DHEA-S levels. Moreover, E2 levels were correlated with FSH levels only in girls.

Conclusions

The results indicate that in 6-year-old girls, circulating E2 is produced primarily in the ovary from adrenal steroids through FSH-induced aromatase upregulation. This study provides evidence that female-dominant E2 production starts several months or years before adrenarche. The biological significance of E2 biosynthesis in these young children needs to be clarified in future studies.

Open access
Britt J van Keulen Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Conor V Dolan Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Bibian van der Voorn Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Sophia Kinderziekenhuis, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Ruth Andrew Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK

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Brian R Walker Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

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Hilleke Hulshoff Pol Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

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Dorret I Boomsma Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Joost Rotteveel Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Martijn J J Finken Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Objective

Sex differences in disease susceptibility might be explained by sexual dimorphism in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, which has been postulated to emerge during puberty. However, studies conducted thus far lacked an assessment of Tanner pubertal stage. This study aimed to assess the contribution of pubertal development to sexual dimorphism in cortisol production and metabolism.

Methods

Participants (n = 218) were enrolled from a population-based Netherlands Twin Register. At the ages of 9, 12 and 17 years, Tanner pubertal stage was assessed and early morning urine samples were collected. Cortisol metabolites were measured with GC-MS/MS and ratios were calculated, representing cortisol metabolism enzyme activities, such as A-ring reductases, 11β-HSDs and CYP3A4. Cortisol production and metabolism parameters were compared between sexes for pre-pubertal (Tanner stage 1), early pubertal (Tanner stage 2–3) and late-pubertal (Tanner stage 4–5) stages.

Results

Cortisol metabolite excretion rate decreased with pubertal maturation in both sexes, but did not significantly differ between sexes at any pubertal stage, although in girls a considerable decrease was observed between early and late-pubertal stage (P < 0.001). A-ring reductase activity was similar between sexes at pre- and early pubertal stages and was lower in girls than in boys at late-pubertal stage. Activities of 11β-HSDs were similar between sexes at pre-pubertal stage and favored cortisone in girls at early and late-pubertal stages. Cytochrome P450 3A4 activity did not differ between sexes.

Conclusions

Prepubertally, sexes were similar in cortisol parameters. During puberty, as compared to boys, in girls the activities of A-ring reductases declined and the balance between 11β-HSDs progressively favored cortisone. In addition, girls showed a considerable decrease in cortisol metabolite excretion rate between early and late-pubertal stages. Our findings suggest that the sexual dimorphism in cortisol may either be explained by rising concentrations of sex steroids or by puberty-induced changes in body composition.

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