Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels are not suppressible by glucocorticoids before adrenarche.
We measured dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels in children before and after high dose prednisone therapy. In older children (postadrenarchal), there was a 70% decrease in DHEA-S levels after 1 week. However, even after a month of therapy, DHEA-S was detectable in serum. In contrast, in younger (preadrenarchal) children, the low initial DHEA-S levels were not decreased by prednisone therapy. These findings suggest that there are two distinct regulatory pathways leading to DHEA-S, one of which is independent of ACTH.
Kreitzer
P M
PM
Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital of Long Island, Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11042.
Blethen
S L
SL
Festa
R S
RS
Chasalow
F I
FI
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D011241:Prednisone