title: [Reference values of FSH, LH, total testosterone, free testosterone, 17-beta-estradiol and SHBG in healthy children in Zaragoza].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to estimate reference values for basal serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone, free testosterone, 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and sex steroid binding globulin (SHBG) in healthy children of Zaragoza.
  
  
  METHODS
  The reference population consisted of healthy children between 0 and 14 years of age with normal weight and height and living in the metropolitan area of Zaragoza (Spain). It was a transversal study. Basal serum concentrations of FSH, LH and SHBG were measured by immunoradiometric assay. Basal serum concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone and E2 were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Reference values and ranges were estimated according to the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reference values have been classified by age, sex and pubertal stage. Serum concentrations of FSH, LH, total testosterone, free testosterone and E2 increase during the first six months, remain low in infancy and rise during puberty. All of these concentrations showed marked differences according to sex. Serum SHBG levels are influenced by age and during puberty by sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in reference values for gonadotrophins, sex steroids and SHBG during infancy, childhood and adolescence makes it necessary for every population to establish their own reference values according to age, sex and pubertal stage.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infantil Miguel Servet, Zaragoza.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cortés Blanco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrández Longás
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mayayo Dehesa
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Labarta Aizpún
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000502:physiology*; D013030:Spain; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone