Plasma Androgens in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), .DELTA.4-androstenedione (.DELTA.4) and testosterone (T) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 232 normal subjects of both sexes, aged 2 wk-20 yr. The results were analyzed in relation to chronological age, body surface and pubertal stage. High levels of plasma androgens were found in newborn infants of both sexes. After 3 mo. of age, androgen levels were uniformly low and rose with increasing chronological age and body surface. The 1st significant increase in mean androgen levels was found for DHEA-S. It occurred after 6 yr of age in girls and after 8 yr in boys. DHEA and T rose in both sexes after 8 yr of age. .DELTA.4 increased steadily with chronological age and body surface in both sexes. When androgen levels were related to body surface, a 1st significant increase was observed above 1.00 m2 for the 4 androgens, in both boys and girls. Above 1.20 m2 and 12 yr of age, girls had higher mean levels of DHEA-S, DHEA and .DELTA.4, but lower mean T levels than boys of the same body surface and chronological age. Before puberty, a positive correlation was found in both sexes between the plasma androgen levels, and both chronological age and body surface. Plasma androgen levels markedly increased at stage P2 in both sexes, and further increased with pubertal development. During puberty, girls had higher plasma .DELTA.4, but lower plasma T levels than boys of the same pubertal stage. Plasma DHEA-S and DHEA levels were similar in both sexes. In contrast to the plasma androgens, plasma cortisol levels did not show any change in relation either to chronological age or to body surface or pubertal development. Body surface appears to be as good a discriminating factor as chronological age, at least in young children. DHEA-S apparently is a good guide for the clinical evaluation of adrenal maturation and may be very useful in evaluating patients with growth or pubertal disturbances.