Steroid metabolism in obese children II. Steroid excretion of obese and normal weight children.
Comparative studies on adrenal function have been performed in 56 children, 31 obese and 25 of normal weight. Their body weight fell within the range between 80 and 215% of the ideal weight (100%). Nine steroids resp. steroid groups were measured by gas chromatography. The participants were grouped by degree of fatness, sex and presence of absence of puberty (Tanner I or higher than I). The urinary steroid excretion rate was corrected for weight. Altered steroid metabolism was found in obese children as compared with the normal groups: not only the excretion of cortisol metabolites was increased but also that of androgen metabolites and pregnenediol, metabolite of pregnanolone. There is a trend for increased excretion of all steroid groups, in certain cases this attains the level of statistical significance. Wide variability was observed in the steroid excretion of obese children, in about one third of them there was hypersecretion of some components of the steroid spectrum. This phenomenon was more frequently encountered in boys. Extension of the normal range of steroid excretion rates of obese children seems to be justified.
Juricskay
Z
Z
Central Research Laboratory, University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary.
Molnár
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000652:urine*; D011627:Puberty; D013256:Steroids / Q000145:classification / Q000652:urine*
D013256:Steroids