Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and corticotropin levels are high in youngmale patients with conduct disorder: Comparisons for growth factors, thyroid and gonadal hormones

Childhood conduct disorder (CD) may originate in a stressful upbringing, an d be associated with unusual physical or sexual development and thyroid dys function. We therefore explored circulating levels of hormones from adrenal , gonadal and growth hormone axes associated with stress, aggression and de velopment in 28 CD patients and 13 age-matched healthy children (10-18 year s old). The CD group had higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate ( DHEA-S), corticotropin (ACTH) and free tri-iodothyronine (fT(3)) if under 1 4 years. There were no differences for gonadal hormones or maturity ratings which were not associated with aggression. Smaller physical measures in CD children correlated with DHEA-S and growth factors (e.g. insulin-like grow th factor I) increased ACTH and fT(3) correlated with restless-impulsive ra tings, and DHEA-S with 'disruptive behaviour'. Imbalances in the adrenal an d growth axes may have neurotropic repercussions in development. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.