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Spontaneous prolactin secretion in growth hormone-deficient children

T M K Völkl1, S Haas, H G Dörr

  • 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Loschgestrasse 15, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|March 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and neurosecretory deficiency (NSD) exhibit higher prolactin (PRL) levels. However, PRL and growth hormone (GH) do not show a direct relationship in their secretion patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Hormone secretion dynamics
  • Growth disorders

Background:

  • Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS) are common conditions in children.
  • Understanding the interplay between growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • Nocturnal hormone release patterns can provide insights into endocrine function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare spontaneous nocturnal prolactin (PRL) release in children with idiopathic GH deficiency (GHD), neurosecretory deficiency of GH secretion (NSD), and idiopathic short stature (ISS).
  • To determine if there is a relationship or copulsatility between PRL and GH secretion in these pediatric groups.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 32 prepubertal children (ages 3-12) diagnosed with GHD, NSD, or ISS.
  • Nocturnal spontaneous hormone secretion was assessed via intermittent venous sampling.
  • Secretion profiles and copulsatility were analyzed using specialized software (Pulsar and AnCoPuls).

Main Results:

  • Children with GHD and NSD showed significantly lower GH levels compared to ISS children.
  • Prolactin (PRL) levels and area-under-the-curve (AUC) were significantly higher in children with GHD and NSD than in those with ISS.
  • No evidence of a direct correlation or copulsatile secretion pattern was found between PRL and GH.

Conclusions:

  • Children with GHD and NSD exhibit elevated PRL secretion compared to children with ISS.
  • Despite differences in PRL levels, PRL and GH secretion do not appear to be directly related or copulsatile in these pediatric populations.
Abstract

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