Abstract
13 individual adrenal corticesteroids and androgens have been assayed by paper chromatography in 24 hr urine samples in 20 obese children (aged from 7 mo to 16 yr 3 mo). The children exceeded the mean weight for their age, height, sex by 23% 98% In comparison with normal children there was a significant increase in the 24 hr excretion of 17 OHCS (p<0.001 )and α-ketolic cortisol metabolites (p<O.001). Corrected for surface area this difference in excretion persisted (p<0.05 ) but when corrected for body weight the results for the obese group were not significantly different from those of the normal children. The 24 hr excretion of the α-ketolic metabolites of cortlcosterone was significantly greater than that of the normal children (p<0.05) but not when the results were corrected for body weight. Qualitatively the excretion of the individual corticosteroids in the obese children was similar to that of the normal children. Though corticosteroid excretion is related to body weight it is controlled by calorie intake. Hyper-excretors, those with a persisting increase in corticosteroid excretion when corrected for body weight, may include those with a grossly excessive calorie intake who are rapidly gaining weight. Compared with normal children, there was a significant increase in excretion of the 170S(p<0.05)and the 11-deoxygenated-17-oxosteroids (p<0.01). This increase was particularly apparent in prepubertal children aged 8 to 10 yr. In obese children elevated levels of adrenal androgens in plasma might stimulate earlier maturation of the hypothalamic centre
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Savage, S., Forsyth, C. THE EXCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIROIDS IN OBESE CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 9, 690 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00138
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00138