Serum Androgens in Normal Prepubertal and Pubertal Children and in Children with Precocious Adrenarche

The study measured serum androgens in 85 normal girls and 101 normal boys, observing changes across Tanner stages I to IV/V. In boys, testosterone and testosterone-like substances increased with puberty onset, with a more abrupt rise later, while dihydrotestosterone was higher in late puberty without a steep rise. Delta4-androstenedione showed no prepubertal increase, but dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was significantly higher in children over 7 years. The most rapid DHEA increase occurred with pubic hair appearance (Stage II) in both sexes. In Tanner stages IV/V, androgen levels reached adult ranges except for DHT. In 22 girls with precocious adrenarche, androgen levels were higher than in prepubertal children but lower than in late pubertal girls, indicating a non-progressive disorder with early adrenal androgen maturation. A rise in all androgens correlated with sexual hair development.