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Background: SHBG levels are low in obesity, and low SHBG levels are a biomarker for the development of T2DM and the metabolic syndrome. We sought to determine whether low SHBG in newborns will predict childhood obesity. Methods: We studied 94 healthy, singleton, full-term newborns, and measured their length, weight (BW), waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses. We collected cord blood as well as day 2 venous blood samples for the measurement of SHBG and insulin (ALPCO, Salem NH). Maternal age, pre-pregnancy weight, pregnancy weight gain, and glucose screening test results were obtained from obstetrical records. Mothers with chronic diseases were excluded from the study. When babies were 2 years old, we administered a questionnaire to collect information about their eating, sleeping, screen viewing habits, and anthropometric measurements at ages 6, 12, and 24 months (n=47). Overweight was defined as a BMI SDS of ≥1 and

SUMMARY We measured plasma sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone levels in a pilot study of eight women aged 21–41 years who complained of diffuse hair loss; and subsequently in a larger group of fifteen patients of a similar age range. There was a significant reduction in SHBG levels in both groups of patients when compared to controls, but testosterone values were normal.