Exaggerated adrenarche in a cohort of Scottish children: clinical features and biochemistry

Paterson, W.F. et al. (2010) Exaggerated adrenarche in a cohort of Scottish children: clinical features and biochemistry. Clinical Endocrinology, 72(4), pp. 496-501. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03739.x)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03739.x

Abstract

<p><b>Objective</b>  To investigate the reported association between exaggerated adrenarche (EA) and reduced foetal growth and to identify possible risk factors for future morbidity in Scottish children with clinical features of EA.</p> <p><b>Design</b>  Three-year prospective study.</p> <p><b>Measurements</b>  Auxology, blood pressure (BP), biochemical analysis of blood and urine, pelvic ultrasound in girls.</p> <p><b>Results</b>  Fifty-two patients were recruited of whom one girl had nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (17-OHP 17 nmol/l) and one had insufficient blood for analysis. The final cohort comprised 42 girls of mean (SD) age 7·7 (0·99) and eight boys of 8·8 (0·67) years. Mean (SD) birth weight was 3·27 (0·49) and 3·10 (0·76) kg in girls and boys respectively. Height/weight SDS were 1·13/1·69 in girls and 1·69/1·88 in boys. Mean systolic/diastolic BP was 107·8/60·4 (50th–75th centile) in girls and 115·5/63·9 (75th–91st centile) in boys. Uterine and ovarian development was prepubertal. Median serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) was 2·1 and 4·1 μmol/l, androstenedione 3·1 and 3·8 nmol/l in girls and boys respectively, with DHEAS within the reference range/undetectable in 18/2 and androstenedione in 12/6 patients. Fasting insulin was 9·0 and 15·0 mU/l in girls and boys respectively, with concomitant low normal SHBG. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was 15·7 pmol/l in 27 girls, compared with 5·0 pmol/l in normal girls aged 5–8 years.</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b>  Our Scottish EA cohort showed female predominance, no evidence of reduced foetal growth, a tendency to overweight with commensurate mild hyperinsulinaemia and modest elevation of serum androgens in some patients. We have found raised AMH levels in the girls, indicating advanced ovarian follicular development.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Shapiro, Dr David and Donaldson, Dr Malcolm and Ahmed, Professor Syed Faisal
Authors: Paterson, W.F., Ahmed, S.F., Bath, L., Donaldson, M.D.C., Fleming, R., Greene, S.A., Hunter, I., Kelnar, C.J.H., Mayo, A., Schulga, J., Shapiro, D., Smail, P.J., and Wallace, A.M.
Subjects:R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
Journal Name:Clinical Endocrinology
Publisher:Blackwell Publishing
ISSN:0300-0664
Published Online:26 October 2009

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