Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
11:17

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Growth hormone and body composition in children younger than 2 years with Prader-Willi syndrome

Urs Eiholzer1, Dagmar L'allemand, Michael Schlumpf

  • 1Department of Biostatistics, University of Zürich, Switzerland. mail@childgrowth.org

The Journal of Pediatrics
|June 12, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Infants with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have low lean mass (LM) that declines with age. Early growth hormone (GH) therapy improves LM and helps prevent obesity in children with PWS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Body composition analysis

Background:

  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by developmental abnormalities and hormonal imbalances.
  • Infants with PWS often exhibit diminished lean mass (LM) and a propensity for obesity.
  • Early assessment of body composition is crucial for managing PWS complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate body composition in infants with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) using deuterium dilution.
  • To determine the efficacy of early growth hormone (GH) therapy in increasing lean mass (LM) and mitigating excessive fat accumulation in infants with PWS.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving two groups of infants with PWS under 2 years of age.
  • The growth hormone (GH) group (n=11) received GH therapy for 30 months.
  • The coenzyme Q10 (Q10) group (n=6) received only Q10 for 1 year.
  • Lean mass adjusted for height (LM(Ht)) and relative fat mass (%FM(Age)) standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated using data from 95 healthy children.

Main Results:

  • Initially, all PWS infants had below-average LM(Ht).
  • The Q10 group showed a significant decrease in LM(Ht) (-0.46 SD/year), while the GH group experienced an increase (0.25 SD/year), normalizing after 30 months.
  • %FM(Age) was elevated in both groups, increasing in the Q10 group but remaining more stable with GH therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) present with reduced lean mass (LM) that deteriorates in early childhood.
  • Early initiation of growth hormone (GH) therapy is effective in normalizing LM and delaying the onset of obesity in infants with PWS.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

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

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
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...
Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy01:26

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of individual cells, resulting in the enlargement of a tissue or organ. Unlike hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in cell volume. This process often occurs in response to higher functional demand or hormonal stimulation, leading to the production of more structural proteins and organelles, thereby enhancing the cells' work capacity.There are two primary types of hypertrophy: physiological...