title: Transient postnatal secretion of androgen hormones is associated with acne and sebaceous gland hypertrophy in early infancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sebaceous gland hypertrophy (SGH) and acne-like skin eruptions are frequent during the first months of life, yet the etiology and prevalence of these conditions in infants are not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to evaluate the association of postnatal androgens with SGH and acne in infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a longitudinal, monthly follow-up from 1 wk (D7) to 6 months of age (M1-M6).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients included 54 full-term (FT; 26 boys) and 48 preterm (PT; gestational age at birth 27.7-36.6 wk, 22 boys) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The occurrence of SGH (present/absent) and acne (5-10, 10-50, and >50 papules) was registered and compared with urinary levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate and testosterone measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SGH was observed in 89% of FT and 96% of PT infants (P = 0.28). Acne (more than five papules) was observed in 91% of FT infants and in 75% of PT infants (P = 0.06). Both SGH and acne were associated with developmental rather than calendar age: SGH was limited to postmenstrual age less than 46 wk and acne was not observed less than 37 wk of postmenstrual age. Urinary androgen levels showed severalfold differences in magnitude between sexes and between the FT and PT groups. After grouping according to sex and maturity, the occurrence of SGH and the severity of acne were associated with higher urinary dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and testosterone levels in each group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SGH and acne are common during the first months of life and associated with endogenous, physiologically elevated levels of androgens originating from the adrenals and gonads. These data suggest a novel role for postnatal androgen secretion in infancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuiri-Hänninen
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haanpää
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Turpeinen
authors.forename: Esa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hämäläinen
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunkel
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sankilampi
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012625:Sebaceous Gland Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000652:urine; D013997:Time Factors; D016482:Urinalysis
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate