Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate and Corticotropin Levels Are High in Young Male Patients with Conduct Disorder: Comparisons for Growth Factors, Thyroid and Gonadal Hormones

Childhood conduct disorder (CD) may originate in a stressful upbringing, and be associated with unusual physical or sexual development and thyroid dysfunction. We therefore explored circulating levels of hormones from adrenal, gonadal and growth hormone axes associated with stress, aggression and development in 28 CD patients and 13 age-matched healthy children (10-18 years old). The CD group had higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), corticotropin (ACTH) and free tri-iodothyronine (fT(3)) if under 14 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 growth factor I) increased ACTH and fT(3) correlated with restless-impulsive ratings, and DHEA-S with 'disruptive behaviour'. Imbalances in the adrenal and growth axes may have neurotropic repercussions in development.