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Variation and physiological significance of basal gastrinemia in normal children
Y K Koda1, A A Laudanna, D Barbieri
1Gastroenterology Unit, Children's Institute, Prof. Pedro de Alcântara, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil.
Insights
Basal gastrinemia levels in children decrease significantly with age, with the highest levels observed up to 18 months. This inverse correlation suggests gastrin plays a key role in stomach development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Gastrin is a crucial hormone regulating gastric acid secretion and mucosal growth.
- Understanding normal gastrin levels in children is essential for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated age-related variations in basal gastrinemia during childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal range of basal gastrinemia in children across different age groups.
- To investigate the correlation between basal gastrinemia and age in pediatric populations.
- To identify potential age-related patterns in gastrin levels during early development.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to measure basal gastrinemia.
- Thirty healthy children aged 2 months to 9 years were recruited.
- Participants were divided into three age-specific groups: 2-6 months, 7-18 months, and 20 months-9 years.
Main Results:
- Basal gastrinemia levels ranged from 11 to 533 pg/ml (mean = 138.47, SD = 131.56).
- A significant inverse correlation was found between basal gastrinemia and children's age.
- Gastrin levels were significantly higher in children up to 18 months compared to older children (20 months-9 years).
Conclusions:
- Normal basal gastrinemia in children is inversely correlated with age.
- Elevated gastrin levels in infants and toddlers may indicate a significant physiological role in gastric ontogeny.
- Further research is warranted to explore the functional implications of hypergastrinemia in early childhood development.
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to determine the variation of normal basal gastrinemia values in children of different age ranges. Basal gastrinemia levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 30 normal children aged 2 months to 9 years divided into 3 groups: 1) 11 children aged 2 to 6 months; 2) 9 children aged 7 to 18 months, and 3) 10 children aged 20 month to 9 years. Basal gastrinemia levels varied from 11 to 533 pg/ml (mean = 138.47, SD = 131.56) and correlated significantly to the children's ages. Differences were not statistically significant between group I (mean = 191.82, SD = 116.26) and group II (mean = 186.11, SD = 161.65) but were significant between group I and group I and group III (mean = 36.9, SD = 17.67) and between group II and group III. The results demonstrate that basal gastrinemia levels of normal children are inversely correlated with age, the highest values being observed up to 18 months of age. A marked decrease in basal gastrinemia occurs thereafter reaching levels similar to those reported for adults. The authors speculate whether the hypergastrinemia observed in the present study may be indicative of an important physiological function of gastrin in the ontogenic development of the stomach.