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Ghrelin levels in young children with Prader-Willi syndrome

Christine R Erdie-Lalena1, Vanja A Holm, Patrick C Kelly

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

In young children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), ghrelin levels are normal before hyperphagia develops. This suggests ghrelin may increase just before excessive eating and obesity emerge in PWS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder associated with hyperphagia and obesity.
  • Elevated ghrelin levels are observed in older individuals with PWS and are hypothesized to contribute to obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether high ghrelin levels are present in very young children with PWS before the onset of hyperphagia.
  • To test the hypothesis that ghrelin contributes to obesity in PWS.

Main Methods:

  • Ghrelin levels were measured in nine children with PWS (17-60 months) and eight healthy controls.
  • Participants were matched for body mass index (BMI), age, and sex.

Main Results:

  • Children with PWS and controls had similar BMI, age, sex, fasting total ghrelin, bioactive ghrelin, insulin, and glucose levels.
  • Ghrelin levels correlated negatively with BMI in controls but not in children with PWS.

Conclusions:

  • Young children with PWS (<5 years) who had not yet developed hyperphagia or significant obesity had normal ghrelin levels.
  • This contrasts with the hyperghrelinemia seen in older individuals with PWS.
  • Ghrelin levels may increase acutely before the onset of hyperphagia in PWS.
Abstract

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