PMID: 8598106Mar 1, 1996Paper

Serum prostate-specific antigen measured in children from birth to age 18 years

Clinical Chemistry
E W RandellG Ellis

Abstract

We measured prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum from 94 cord- blood samples, from 44 newborns, and from 330 children up to age 18 years, using a highly sensitive "third generation" PSA assay on the IMMULITE (Diagnostic Products Corp.) analyzer. The serum was that remaining after cross-matching for blood transfusion. Most children were hospitalized for special care or surgery. We found detectable concentrations of PSA (> or = 0.003 micrograms/L) in many cord sera and in sera from both male and female neonates. PSA was more frequently detectable in cord and newborn sera from males than from females, but there was considerable overlap in values between the sexes, negating any possible usefulness of PSA for assigning male gender to newborns with ambiguous genitalia. PSA decreased to undetectable concentrations in most prepubertal males and females but became detectable around the age of puberty in males. We speculate that the presence of detectable PSA in cord and newborn sera results from androgenic stimulation of prostatic tissue in males or from stimulation of breast or other tissue by prolactin or progesterone in females.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.