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Cortisol and Cortisone in Early Childhood in Very-Low-Birthweight Infants and Term-Born Infants

Miranda de Jong1, Anneke Cranendonk2, Jos W R Twisk3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Hormone Research in Paediatrics
|February 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants show altered cortisol and cortisone levels, suggesting impaired 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) activity. Early insulin treatment may impact hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis programming in VLBW children.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neonatology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Preterm birth can lead to long-term metabolic and cardiovascular issues.
  • Impaired 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) activity may contribute to these risks.
  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis programming is affected by preterm birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare serum cortisol, cortisone, and their ratio in early childhood between very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants and term-born infants.
  • To investigate the relationship between these hormone levels and metabolic markers at 2 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • Included 41 VLBW infants and 64 term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.
  • Measured serum cortisol and cortisone at multiple time points up to 2 years corrected age.
  • Assessed lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin at 2 years corrected age in VLBW infants.

Main Results:

  • VLBW children exhibited a higher cortisol/cortisone ratio compared to term children during the first 2 years.
  • A higher cortisol/cortisone ratio correlated positively with triglyceride levels at 2 years.
  • VLBW infants receiving early insulin treatment had higher cortisol and cortisone levels than the standard care group.

Conclusions:

  • Lower 11β-HSD2 activity in VLBW infants likely contributes to future metabolic and cardiovascular risks.
  • Early insulin administration in VLBW infants may influence HPA axis programming, leading to elevated cortisol and cortisone levels in early childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2CortisolCortisoneMetabolic syndromePreterm infants

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