Urinary tetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisol glucosiduronates in normal newborns, children and adults

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Abstract
Utilizing a simple, highly specific radioimmunoassay (RIA), the excretion of the glucosiduronate conjugates of tetrahydrocortisone (THE-gluc) and tetrahydrocortisol (THF-gluc) were measured in adults (n = 16), children (n = 58) and newborns (n = 5), to establish a normal range of values for age and surface area. Both tetrahydrometabolites showed a linear increase with age but became constant for all individuals except newborns when results were calculated per square meter. Newborns excreted disproportionately low levels of these metabolites for their size. In children of similar ages, when 24 h urine collections (n = 13) were compared to spot AM specimens (AM-SP) (n = 45) in which the daily volume was estimated by creatinine excretion, THE-gluc/m2 levels were significantly higher in AM-Sp urines but THF-gluc/m2 levels were similar. Levels of both metabolites were markedly elevated in 2 patients with hyperadrenal states and low in 3 patients with hypoadrenal states compared to normal values per m2. The RIA for THE-gluc and THF-gluc may be a useful indirect test of cortisol secretion in children as well as in adults. Although 24 h urine collections are more accurate, creatinine corrected AM-Sp urines may be clinically useful when values of these metabolites per m2 are compared to appropriate controls.