Adrenal androgen trajectories are established during childhood in preterm boys

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pediatrics
• Human Growth and Development

Background:

• Adrenal androgens play a role in pubertal development and metabolic health.
• Preterm birth can impact endocrine function and growth trajectories.
• Understanding factors influencing adrenal androgen secretion in preterm children is crucial for long-term health assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate longitudinal adrenal androgen concentrations in boys born moderate to late preterm.
• To examine the relationship between gestational age, birth size, and anthropometric parameters with adrenal androgen levels during childhood.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal prospective study of 58 boys born between 32+0 and 36+6 weeks gestation.
• Analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androstenedione using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
• Recording of anthropometric data (weight SDS, waist-to-height ratio) from 5 to 10 years of age.

Main Results:

• Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate correlated with weight SDS and waist-to-height ratio from 7 to 10 years.
• Androstenedione correlated with weight SDS from 7 to 10 years and waist-to-height ratio at 10 years.
• Longitudinal analysis revealed significant associations between weight SDS, waist-to-height SDS, and both dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androstenedione (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Adrenal androgen secretion trajectories were consistent with anthropometric parameter trajectories from 5 to 10 years.
• Current body composition (weight and waist-to-height ratio) was associated with adrenal androgen secretion.
• Gestational age and birth size were not the primary drivers of adrenal androgen secretion in this cohort.