[Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in normal boys and in those with growth retardation]

Radioimmunoassay of plasma DHA in 179 boys 2 to 16 years old has allowed assessment of normal values (mean and 95% confidence limits) increasing with age on a log DHA/age relationship. Plasma DHA was normal in 58 cases of male idiopathic growth retardation and 40 boys with delayed adolescence. It was significantly increased in 42 obese boys. DHA levels were normal in 10 hypopituitary dwarfs with isolated GH deficiency, and significantly decreased in 24 others with multiple pituitary deficiencies. In pituitary dwarfism, a lowered DHA level may be a reliable index of ACTH deficiency, and may be of importance for evaluation of therapeutic programmes.