Adrenal steroid concentrations in children seven to seventeen years of age.

During puberty, serum steroid concentrations change dramatically. The objective of this study was to determine the adrenal steroid concentrations in children from 7 to 17 years of age. Tanner stage was determined in each child by physical examination. 11-Deoxycortisol, pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were measured by immunoassay. The median and central 95% of the steroid concentrations were determined for age, gender, and Tanner stage. Except for 11-deoxycortisol, all of the steroids exhibited an increase in concentration after age 7-9 years in both boys and girls. 11-Deoxycortisol, which is made exclusively in the adrenal cortex, declined with age and Tanner stage. This suggests that a rise in gonadal function and decreased efficiency of 11beta-hydroxylase with age may contribute to an increase in the remaining steroids. Testosterone concentrations increased more dramatically in boys, but increases were seen with each Tanner stage in girls.