Bird publishes in Pediatric Research

Ian Bird, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, is senior author author of a new publication in Pediatric Research. This was a direct collaboration with first author Julie Kessel, MD, associate professor in the UW School of Medicine Department Pediatrics; additional co-authors include Patrice Held, PhD; Eric Bialk; and Ryan McAdams, MD.

In “Elevation of corticosterone and 17OH progesterone in extremely preterm infants and clinical implications”, Kessel and Bird evaluated changes in corticosterone and 17OH progesterone profiles using newborn screening dried blood spots in preterm infants born as early as 22 weeks to determine the impact of extreme prematurity on fetal adrenal function. This research provides new insight into understanding gestational age-adjusted alteration of steroid profiles at birth in extremely preterm neonates, which is necessary to inform diagnosis, optimal timing, dosage, and duration of postnatal steroid therapy in the critical first few days of life. The authors found that:

“Elevations in 17OHP4 and corticosterone, rather than cortisol alone, reflect prematurity's effect on adrenal sufficiency. Preterm infants with high cortisol and elevated corticosterone and 17OHP4 levels may struggle to meet their physiological cortisol needs through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increasing the risk of adrenal crises. These findings provide important insights to guide the management of adrenal insufficiency in preterm neonates.”

Read the whole study here!

**by Ob-Gyn Communications Intern Melis Baskaya