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Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in extreme prematurity: development of reference

Ronda F Greaves1, Rodney W Hunt, Angela S Chiriano

  • 1Royal Children's Hospital, Complex Biochemistry Department, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. ronda.greaves@rch.org.au

Pediatrics
|March 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes new reference intervals for luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in extremely premature infants. These findings aid in the accurate interpretation of early infant hormone levels, crucial for clinical decisions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Reproductive Hormones

Background:

  • Pediatric reference intervals for hormones are challenging to establish and often outdated.
  • Accurate interpretation of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) is vital for diagnosing conditions like ambiguous genitalia in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop novel reference intervals for luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
  • To provide age-specific hormone ranges for infants born between 24 and 29 weeks' gestation.

Main Methods:

  • Collected blood samples from 82 premature infants (born <30 weeks gestation) within the first 43 days of life.
  • Analyzed luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels using automated immunochemiluminometric immunoassays.

Main Results:

  • Established distinct LH and FSH ranges for male and female infants in the first 6 weeks post-birth.
  • Observed significant differences in LH/FSH ratios between male (0.3–9.4) and female (<0.5) premature infants.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides crucial guidance for interpreting LH and FSH levels in extremely premature neonates.
  • Availability of these age-appropriate reference intervals is essential for timely and accurate clinical biochemical assessments.
Abstract

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