Therapy monitoring in congenital adrenal hyperplasia by dried blood samples
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
Authors: Wieacker, Isabelle; Peter, Michael; Borucki, Katrin; Empting, Susann; Roehl, Friedrich-Wilhelm; Mohnike, Klaus
Abstract
Careful monitoring of the therapy is crucial for patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in order to prevent the effects of increased androgen production as well as life-threatening salt-wasting crisis. The key metabolite, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) can be detected in serum, saliva or dried blood. In clinical practice there are challenges due to discomfort of venous blood sampling and complicated retrieval of saliva during infancy. Furthermore, the immunoassay method is limited in its specificity due to cross-reactions. In this observational study we prospectively examined over a period of 5 years, 20 patients with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency using standard immunoassays for serum samples (radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in dried blood spots. Bland-Altman plots show goodness of agreement between both the methods for the desirable therapeutic concentration range of 17-OHP. LC-MS/MS is characterized by a high accuracy in the therapeutic concentration range of 17-OHP <100 nmol/L (r = 0.91). Dried blood samples are convenient and reliable specimen for 17-OHP measured by LC-MS/MS. This method could be used for home monitoring of hydrocortisone replacement therapy both in salt-waster and simple virilizer CAH.
The use of 17-hydroxy progesterone in women with arrested preterm labor: a randomized clinical trial
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
Authors: Briery, Christian M.; Klauser, Chad K.; Martin, Rick W.; Magann, Everett F.; Chauhan, Suneet P.; Morrison, John C.
Abstract
Background: The use of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17 P) has been shown to reduce preterm delivery in women who have had a prior preterm birth. The role of 17 P in women with arrested preterm labor is less certain. Aims: To compare the preterm birth rate and neonatal outcome in women with arrested preterm labor randomized to receive 17 P or placebo. Materials and methods: Women with arrested preterm labor were randomized to weekly injections of either 17 P (250 mg) or placebo. Maternal and neonatal outcome were evaluated. Results: Forty-five singleton pregnancies were randomized after successful tocolysis; 22 received 17 P while 23 got placebo. Gestational age at delivery (p = 0.067) and the interval from treatment to delivery (p = 0.233) were not affected by 17 P. Significantly less women in the 17 P group delivered at <34 weeks (14 versus 21, p = 0.035). There was also a significant reduction in the risk of neonatal sepsis (p = 0.047) and gr III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (p = 0.022) in the 17 P group. Conclusion: In this study, 17 P did not delay the interval to delivery after successful preterm labor, but births <34 weeks as well as neonatal sepsis and IVH were reduced by 17 P treatment.