Urinary excretion of 16 alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone and 16-ketoandrostenediol during the early neonatal period.

Abstract

ABSTRACT A method utilizing preparative thin-layer chromatography, trimethylsilyl ether derivative formation, and separation on gasliquid chromatography of 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone and 16-ketoandrostenediol in urine of newborn infants is described. Results of serial determinations performed during the first few days of life suggest that these compounds are measurable readily and can serve to evaluate further certain aspects of steroid biogenesis in the neonatal period. Preliminary data reveal that infants born of mothers whose estriol excretion during pregnancy was reduced have decreased rates of excretion of the latter compounds.