Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Functional Interrogation of Adult Hypothalamic Neurogenesis with Focal Radiological Inhibition
Published on: November 14, 2013
Activity of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis in critically ill children
John G Gardelis1, Tassos D Hatzis, Lela N Stamogiannou
1First Department of Pediatrics, P&A Kyriakou Children 's Hospital, Athens, Greece. johngardelis@hotmail.com
Insights
Critically ill children exhibit altered growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels, indicating potential GH resistance. These changes were observed in both trauma and sepsis patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Critical illness significantly impacts the endocrine system.
- Limited research exists on the Growth Hormone/Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis in critically ill children.
- Understanding these alterations is crucial for managing pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate GH/IGF-I axis parameters in children with trauma (TRA) and sepsis (SEP) in the PICU.
- To compare these parameters with healthy children (CS).
Main Methods:
- Study included 16 critically ill children (10 TRA, 6 SEP; age 1-10 years) and 18 healthy controls.
- Serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and GH were measured on days 1, 3, and 7 post-admission.
- Statistical analysis compared patient groups with controls and between TRA and SEP groups.
Main Results:
- GH levels were significantly higher in patients (TRA and SEP) compared to controls (CS) (p=0.04) and increased during PICU stay (p=0.05).
- Serum IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were significantly lower in patients than controls (p=0.03, 0.02, 0.001 respectively), with a trend towards increase by day 7.
- IGFBP-1 levels did not differ significantly between patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Critically ill children demonstrate low IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 levels alongside elevated GH.
- These findings suggest the development of peripheral GH resistance in pediatric critical illness.
- No significant differences in GH/IGF-I axis parameters were observed between trauma and sepsis conditions.
Abstract:
Critical illness has an important impact on the human endocrine system. Very few studies have been performed to elucidate the alterations of the GH/IGF-I axis in acutely ill children. The aim of this study was to investigate several parameters of this axis in children with trauma (TRA) and sepsis (SEP) requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A total of 16 children, ten with TRA and six with SEP (age 1-10 years) as well as 18 healthy children (CS) of similar age and gender were included in the study. Two children, one with TRA and one with SEP, died. Serum IGF-I and -II, IGFBP-1 and -3, and GH levels were measured on days 1, 3 and 7 after admission. GH levels were higher in the patients than in CS (p = 0.04), with no difference between TRA and SEP, and were elevated during PICU stay (p = 0.05). Serum IGF-I, -II and IGFBP-3 were lower in the patients than in CS (p = 0.03, 0.02 and 0.001, respectively) with a tendency to increase up to day 7. Finally, IGFBP-1 levels were similar in the patients and CS. These findings indicate that critically ill children are characterized by low levels of IGF-I and -II as well as IGFBP-3 accompanied by elevated levels of GH, probably reflecting the development of peripheral GH resistance. No significant differences were found between the different catabolic conditions, sepsis and trauma.
