Adrenal androgen trajectories are established during childhood in preterm boys

Aim We investigated longitudinal adrenal androgen concentrations and any relationship between gestational age, birth size, anthropometric parameters and adrenal androgen concentrations during childhood in boys born moderate to late preterm. Methods This longitudinal, prospective study included 58 boys born at 32+0 to 36+6 weeks of gestation. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androstenedione were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and anthropometric data were recorded from 5 to 10 years of age. Results Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations correlated with weight standard deviations scores (SDS) from 7 to 10 years of age and waist-to-height ratios at seven and 10 years of age. Androstenedione correlated with weight SDS from 7 to 10 years of age and waist-to-height ratios at 10 years of age. Longitudinal analysis showed a relationship between weight SDS and waist-to-height SDS and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (p p < 0.001, respectively) and androstenedione (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively), independently of age. Conclusion The trajectories of anthropometric parameters and adrenal androgen secretion were consistent from 5 to 10 years of age in this cohort. The body composition reflected by current weight and the waist-to-height ratio, rather than gestational age and birth size, was associated with adrenal androgen secretion.

Automated summary

This study found that adrenal androgen concentrations in boys born moderate to late preterm were correlated with weight and waist-to-height ratios during childhood from 5 to 10 years of age, suggesting that body composition plays a more significant role in adrenal androgen secretion than gestational age and birth size.