BLOOD-SPOT 17α-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY IN THE FOLLOW-UP OF CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA

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Abstract
The value of plasma 17.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone (17.alpha.-OHP) concentration in monitoring the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was studied by using a capillary blood micromethod. The blood-spot 17-OHP radioimmunoassay method involves serial sampling throughout the day. Follow-up of 7 children treated for CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency showed that a single measurement of plasma 17-OHP concentration cannot be relied upon to determine adequacy of control, since circadian variation and timing of the sample in relation to the last dose of glucocorticoid may influence the plasma level of 17.alpha.-OHP. The data confirm the value of sequential 17.alpha.-OHP assays throughout the day in the follow-up of CAH. With the blood-spot method the 17.alpha.-OHP determinations can be used on a wide scale for monitoring therapy.