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17α-Hydroxyprogesterone in the blood of newborns (test for congenital adrenogenital syndrome)
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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17-Hydroxyprogesterone serves as a substrate for the synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex. With congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex or adrenogenital syndrome as a result of mutations in the genes responsible for the synthesis of various enzymes of certain stages of steroidogenesis, the content of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the fetus, amniotic fluid and blood of the pregnant woman increases. In this regard, the study of 17-hydroxyprogesterone can be used for both prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of fetal diseases. In case of physiological pregnancy, the concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the pregnant woman's blood does not exceed 14 nmol / l.
Concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in serum in the dynamics of physiological pregnancy
Gestational age |
Reference values | |
Ng / dL |
Nmol / l | |
I trimester |
93.3-144.3 |
2.8-4.3 |
II trimester |
203.3-470 |
6.1-14.1 |
III trimester |
203.3-466.7 |
6.1-14 |
With congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex in the fetus, an increase in the concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone on average to 12 nmol / L (3-30 nmol / L) is noted in the first trimester in the pregnant woman's blood. In the second trimester the content of 17-hydroxyprogesterone reaches 25 nmol / l (20-35 nmol / l), in the third trimester - 35 nmol / l (in amniotic fluid - up to 50 nmol / l).
If a suspected congenital adrenogenital syndrome is suspected, the concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the blood from the umbilical cord (or obtained in the first 3 days after birth) is examined.
The reference values (norm) of 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentration in the blood of newborns
Age |
Reference values | |
Ng / ml |
Nmol / l | |
Blood from the umbilical cord |
9-50 |
27.3-151.5 |
Preterm |
0.26-5.68 |
0.8-17.0 |
Newborns first 3 days |
0.07-0.77 |
0.2-2.3 |
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the blood to 40-220 ng / ml, with a deficiency of 11β-hydroxylase, the increase is less pronounced.
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