Influence of fetal growth velocity and smallness at birth on adrenal function in adolescence

TY - JOUR

T1 - Influence of fetal growth velocity and smallness at birth on adrenal function in adolescence

AU - Beck Jensen, Rikke

AU - vielwerth, Signe

AU - Larsen, Torben

AU - Hilsted, Linda Maria

AU - Cohen, Arieh

AU - Hougaard, David M

AU - Jensen, Lars Thorbjørn

AU - Greisen, Gorm

AU - Juul, Anders

AU - Jensen, Rikke Beck

N1 - 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PY - 2011/1/1

Y1 - 2011/1/1

N2 - The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is susceptible to programming during fetal development and may be linked to risk of disease later in life. In a former prospective study the cohort was divided into those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA; birth weight <10 percentile). In 52 adolescent boys (17.5 years) we assessed circulating androgen levels (T, Δ4-adione, DHEAS), overnight serum cortisol profiles (every 20 min), ACTH stimulation test (250 μg i.v.) and analysis of 24-hour urinary adrenal steroid excretion. Urinary excretion of adrenal androgen and cortisol metabolites were significantly lower in the SGA compared to the AGA group. Basal morning cortisol levels were lower in adolescents born SGA compared to those born AGA (365 mmol/l, interquartile range (IQR) 284-413 vs. 445 mmol/l, IQR 377-495, p = 0.04), but overnight cortisol profiles (AUC) did not differ. The ACTH test showed equally stimulated levels of cortisol for those born SGA and AGA. There was no difference in serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and Δ4-adione levels between the SGA and AGA subjects. This suggests impaired excretion of adrenal androgen and cortisol metabolites in young men born SGA compared to AGA. In conclusion, this study demonstrated subtle changes in adolescent adrenal function associated with birth weight.

AB - The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is susceptible to programming during fetal development and may be linked to risk of disease later in life. In a former prospective study the cohort was divided into those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA; birth weight <10 percentile). In 52 adolescent boys (17.5 years) we assessed circulating androgen levels (T, Δ4-adione, DHEAS), overnight serum cortisol profiles (every 20 min), ACTH stimulation test (250 μg i.v.) and analysis of 24-hour urinary adrenal steroid excretion. Urinary excretion of adrenal androgen and cortisol metabolites were significantly lower in the SGA compared to the AGA group. Basal morning cortisol levels were lower in adolescents born SGA compared to those born AGA (365 mmol/l, interquartile range (IQR) 284-413 vs. 445 mmol/l, IQR 377-495, p = 0.04), but overnight cortisol profiles (AUC) did not differ. The ACTH test showed equally stimulated levels of cortisol for those born SGA and AGA. There was no difference in serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and Δ4-adione levels between the SGA and AGA subjects. This suggests impaired excretion of adrenal androgen and cortisol metabolites in young men born SGA compared to AGA. In conclusion, this study demonstrated subtle changes in adolescent adrenal function associated with birth weight.

U2 - 10.1159/000315656

DO - 10.1159/000315656

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 20733270

SN - 1663-2818

VL - 75

SP - 2

EP - 7

JO - Hormone Research in Paediatrics

JF - Hormone Research in Paediatrics

IS - 1

ER -