[Hormonal reference values for adrenocortical function in healthy children from Zaragoza].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric endocrinology
• Clinical biochemistry
• Human physiology

Context:

• Establishing normative endocrine data is vital for diagnosing hormonal imbalances in children.
• Previous reference ranges may not accurately reflect current pediatric populations due to environmental and lifestyle changes.
• The study focuses on a specific pediatric cohort in Zaragoza, Spain.

Purpose:

• To determine reference values for basal serum concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, 4-androstenedione (4A), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHA-S) in healthy children.
• To analyze how these hormone levels change with age, sex, and pubertal stage.
• To provide population-specific data for clinical use.

Summary:

• Reference values were established for ACTH, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17-OHP, PRA, aldosterone, 4A, and DHA-S in healthy children aged 0-14 years in Zaragoza.
• Hormone concentrations varied significantly with age and pubertal development, with some hormones showing distinct patterns from birth through adolescence.
• While sex had minimal impact on most hormones, some differences were noted in 11-deoxycortisol, aldosterone, 4A, and DHA-S levels.

Impact:

• Provides essential, age- and pubertal stage-specific reference ranges for pediatric endocrine assessment.
• Aids clinicians in the accurate diagnosis and management of hormonal disorders in children.
• Highlights the need for local population-specific reference values in clinical practice.