Dynamics of bone turnover in children with GH deficiency treated with GH until final height

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Preparation Of Gushukang (GSK) Granules for In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments
06:16

Preparation Of Gushukang (GSK) Granules for In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments

Published on: May 9, 2019

G I Baroncelli1, S Bertelloni, C Ceccarelli

  • 1Endocrine Unit, Division of Pediatrics, Department of Reproductive Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

European Journal of Endocrinology
|May 24, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) show reduced bone turnover, which is stimulated by long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment. Bone markers do not predict final height in GHD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism Research
  • Growth Hormone Therapy

Background:

  • Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) exhibit altered bone turnover dynamics.
  • Understanding bone metabolism is crucial for optimizing growth hormone (GH) therapy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal changes in bone turnover markers in children with GHD during extended GH treatment.
  • To assess the relationship between bone marker dynamics and growth response in GHD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal measurement of growth velocity and serum bone markers (osteocalcin, PICP, ICTP) in 24 GHD patients.
  • Comparison of bone marker levels at baseline, during treatment, and at final height against controls.
  • Statistical analysis to determine correlations between bone marker changes and growth parameters.

Main Results:

  • Baseline bone turnover markers (OC, PICP, ICTP) were significantly lower in GHD children compared to controls.
  • GH treatment led to a significant increase in bone markers, peaking at 12 months.
  • While OC and PICP declined post-year one, ICTP remained stable; all markers stayed elevated above baseline.
  • Changes in bone markers did not correlate with growth rate or final height.

Conclusions:

  • Children with GHD have diminished bone turnover, which is enhanced by long-term GH therapy.
  • Serum markers OC, PICP, and ICTP are not predictive of growth velocity or final height in GHD patients undergoing GH treatment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue01:27

Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue

Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification01:24

Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification

Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...