Congenital adrenal hyperplasia and early newborn screening: 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP) during the first days of life

Abstract

Cord 17 alpha-OHP concentrations were very high as previously described, probably owing to steroid production by fetal adrenal glands. Therefore, cord blood is not useful for screening purposes. Thereafter there is a gradual decline in 17 alpha-OHP median concentrations. A cut off value of 30 nmol/l blood was useful in samples obtained after 48 hours of life. However, cut off values before 48 hours should be adjusted according to the sampling time.