J Korean Soc Pediatr Endocrinol.  2003 Dec;8(2):156-161.

Changes in High Levels of 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone at Neonatal Screening

• Park EY
• Cho JH
• Lee SJ
• Yang S
• Kim KN
• Shin JH
• Oh PS

Abstract

PURPOSE
There are some cases of false positive in neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. To understand its significance of the increased 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone(17 alpha-OHP) levels in the cases of positive result, we followed its levels during infancy.
METHODS
From July 1997 to June 1998, totally 1,730 babies were screened for congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) measuring 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone(17 alpha- OHP) using an enzyme immunoassay(EIA) on dried blood spots. In infants of positive result, the radioimmunoassay(RIA) was used measuring 17 alpha-OHP in serum. And we followed up the levels of 17 alpha-OHP during infancy. Cortisol and ACTH were also measured and followed up in the morning simultaneously.
RESULTS
No CAH was detected during the study period. With the 13 ng/mL cutoff limit for 17 alpha-OHP before March 1998, the recall rate was 3.09%. With the 20 ng/mL cutoff limit after March 1998, the recall rate was decreased to 1.58%. Follow-up of the high levels of 17 alpha-OHP in positive cases showed a sharply decreased curve according to age.
CONCLUSION
In clinically normal neonates, the high levels of 17 alpha-OHP at screening decreased continuously during infancy.

Keyword

Neonatal screening; Congenital adrenal hyperplasia; 17 alpha--Hydroxyprogesterone(OHP); Cut-off limit

MeSH Terms

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone*
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Mass Screening
Neonatal Screening*
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Hydrocortisone