Evaluation of Adrenal Function in Preterm Infants by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry based Serum Steroids Assay

胎儿和成人肾上腺在形态学和内分泌学上明显不同。因此，准确评估新生儿尤其是早产儿的肾上腺功能是困难的。我们使用液相色谱串联质谱法（LC/MSMS）测定血清类固醇谱。这是评价新生儿肾上腺功能最可靠的方法。结果显示足月儿和早产儿出生后类固醇分泌模式相同。此外，170h孕烯醇酮和170HP随着胎龄的增加而增加，而皮质醇差异较小。总之，早产儿的肾上腺功能较低。

Fetal and adult adrenal glands markedly different to morphological and endocrinological. Therefore, accurate evaluation of adrenal function in neonate especially preterm infants is difficult. We measured serum steroids profile using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSMS). That is the most reliable method to evaluate neonatal adrenal function. Result showed pattern of steroid secretory after birth was the same for term and preterm infants. Additionally 170Hpregnenolone and 170HP increased with younger gestational age, whereas cortisol was a small difference. To conclude, adrenal function is low in preterm infants.