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Correlation between plasma growth hormone and insulin and blood glucose concentrations in premature infants
Insights
In premature infants, insulin and blood glucose levels rise together during the first 60 days of life. However, growth hormone levels, initially high, decrease significantly in the first two months.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Premature infants exhibit distinct endocrine profiles compared to older children and adults.
- Understanding hormonal changes in early life is crucial for assessing infant health and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess plasma growth hormone, insulin, and blood glucose levels in premature infants during the first 60 days of life.
- To correlate these hormonal and metabolic changes with infant age.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal measurement of plasma growth hormone, insulin, and blood glucose.
- Study cohort: 21 premature infants (8 males, 13 females) born between 6th and 8th month of gestation.
- Data analysis correlating hormone levels with age.
Main Results:
- Insulin and blood glucose levels, initially lower than in adults, demonstrated a simultaneous rise in premature infants.
- Plasma growth hormone levels, higher than in older prepubertal children, decreased within the first two weeks of life.
- The decrease in growth hormone continued for the first two months, while insulin and glucose increases were less sustained.
Conclusions:
- Premature infants show a unique pattern of hormonal and metabolic regulation in early life.
- Growth hormone dynamics differ significantly from insulin and glucose in this vulnerable population.
- These findings highlight the specific physiological adaptations occurring in preterm neonates.
Abstract:
Plasma growth hormone, insulin and blood glucose levels were measured longitudinally during the first 60 days of life in 21 premature infants (8 males and 13 females) born between the 6th and 8th month of gestation. When these variables were related to age it was found that insulin and glucose, which are lower than in the prepubertal children and adults, rise simultaneously. Whereas growth hormone, which is higher than in older prepubertal children, decreases during the first 2 weeks of life. The decrease in growth hormone continues during the first 2 months of life, in contrast to the increases in insulin and glucose which do not persist in as long a period.