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Diagnostic value of serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in children with or without growth hormone
Shuwen Qin1, Yifan Shi, Jieying Deng
1Department of Endocrinology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730. qinshuwen@yahoo.com
Insights
Serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels aid in diagnosing growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. Lower IGFBP-3 levels in GHD children indicate impaired GH secretion, making it a useful diagnostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) impacts childhood growth and development.
- Accurate diagnosis of GHD is crucial for timely intervention.
- Distinguishing GHD from other causes of short stature can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in the differential diagnosis of GHD in children.
- To assess the correlation between IGFBP-3 levels and growth hormone (GH) secretion status.
Main Methods:
- Serum IGFBP-3 levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- Measurements were performed in normal children, children with GHD, and short-stature children without GHD.
- IGFBP-3 levels were monitored before and after treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in GHD patients.
Main Results:
- Children with untreated GHD exhibited significantly lower serum IGFBP-3 levels compared to normal controls.
- IGFBP-3 levels in GHD children increased significantly after rhGH treatment, correlating with improved growth parameters.
- Short-stature children without GHD showed normal IGFBP-3 levels, distinct from GHD patients.
Conclusions:
- Serum IGFBP-3 levels serve as a valuable indicator of GH secretion status in children.
- IGFBP-3 is a useful biomarker for the differential diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in pediatric populations.
Objective:
To study the value of serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in differential diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
Methods:
To measure serum IGFBP-3 levels by RIA in normal children and adolescents, GHD children and short-stature children without GHD.
Results:
Serum level of IGFBP-3 in 129 children with untreated GHD and with no pubertal development was 1.6 +/- 0.9 mg/L, which was less than that in normal group of the same age, but overlapped with the normal children in Tanner stage I. After six-month treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), serum level of IGFBP-3 in 59 GHD significantly increased from 1.3 +/- 0.7 mg/L to 2.7 +/- 0.9 mg/L, accompanied by an increase of body heights, growth velocities and serum level of IGF-1. Serum level of IGFBP-3 in 55 short-stature children without GHD was 3.3 +/- 2.2 mg/L, which was not significantly different from that in normal group.
Conclusion:
Serum IGFBP-3 level can reflect the status of GH secretion in children with GHD and is a useful marker for differential diagnosis of GHD.
