title: Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with alterations in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and cardiovascular autonomic nervous activity, suggesting a central dysregulation. This study explored differences among adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome patients and healthy controls regarding antidiuretic hormone, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system, sex hormones and cardiac peptides.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included a consecutive sample of 67 adolescents aged 12-18 years with chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed according to a thorough and standardized set of investigations, and a volunteer sample of 55 healthy control subjects of equal gender and age distribution. Hormones were assayed with standard laboratory methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among patients, plasma antidiuretic hormone was significantly decreased and serum osmolality and plasma renin activity were significantly increased (p < or = 0.001). Serum concentration of aldosterone, cortisol, NT-proBNP and sex hormones were not significantly different in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents is associated with alterations in hormonal systems controlling osmolality and blood volume, possibly supporting a theory of central dysregulation.
authors.affiliation: .Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Vegard Bruun
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Wyller
authors.affiliation: .Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Johan Arild
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Evang
authors.affiliation: .Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Godang
authors.affiliation: .Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kari K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Solhjell
authors.affiliation: .Division of Paediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bollerslev
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001810:Blood Volume; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D014667:Vasopressins; D012083:Renin