[Hypophyso-gonadal function in infancy. From newborn to puberty (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric endocrinology
• Reproductive health
• Child development

Background:

• Understanding hormonal changes in children is crucial for diagnosing developmental and reproductive issues.
• Baseline data on sex hormone levels in healthy children are essential for clinical reference.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and compare serum concentrations of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in healthy children from birth through puberty.
• To identify sex-specific patterns and age-related changes in these key reproductive hormones during early development.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 216 healthy children (104 boys, 102 girls).
• Participants were categorized into 9 age groups, ranging from newborns to pre-pubertal children.
• Hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH) were quantified using established laboratory assays.

Main Results:

• Boys exhibited significantly higher serum testosterone than girls during the first 4 months of life, peaking between 1-2 months.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were significantly higher in girls than boys during the first 4 years.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were higher in boys than girls during the first 4 months post-birth, with distinct patterns observed in both sexes throughout development.

Conclusions:

• Significant sex-based differences in testosterone, FSH, and LH levels are evident in healthy children from infancy through pre-puberty.
• These findings establish normative hormonal profiles crucial for pediatric endocrinology and the early detection of endocrine disorders.