Abstract
To assess fetal adrenal function, free and total 16α-OHDHEA levels in amniotic fluid were determined in 219 normal gestations. At 18th week of gestation, they were 0.28±0.11 (mean±1 S.D.) and 31.1+16.6 ng/ml respectively compared to free DHEA (0.92±0.45 ng/ml) and total DHEA (10.1±5.6 ng/ml). At 36th week, they were 0.37±0.3 (free 16α-OHDHEA) 96.7±86.0 (total 16α-OHDHEA) compared to free DHEA (0.93±0.4) and total DHEA (17.4±12.5). In twenty normal deliveries, total 16α-OHDHEA in amniotic fluid was 564.7±558 ng/ml. In an anencephalic newborn, born at 39th week, total 16α-OHDHEA and DHEA were low. In two small for gestational age infants, total 16α-OHDHEA was low at 16th and 40th weeks. In conclusion, throughout gestation, free, total 16α-OHDHEA and total DHEA increased progressively and free DHEA remained constant in amniotic fluid. This might be due to some protective mechanism for the fetus. Assessment of 16α-OHDHEA in amniotic fluid could be of help in assessing fetal viability.
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Sizonenko, P., Paunier, L., Beguin, F. et al. 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (16α-OHDHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in amniotic fluid. Pediatr Res 12, 1083 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00014
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00014