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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
[Serum growth hormone and prolactin levels in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy]
Guang-You Zhang1, Xian-Mei Lu, Ruo-Peng Sun
1Department of Pediatrics, Central Hospital of Tai'an, Tai'an, Shandong 271000, China. guangyouzh@163.com
Insights
Serum growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) levels are altered in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Lower GH and higher PRL correlate with HIE severity, suggesting their role in the condition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Neurology
Context:
- Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity.
- Understanding the neuroendocrine factors involved in HIE is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the serum levels and potential roles of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in neonatal HIE.
- To correlate GH and PRL levels with the severity of HIE.
Summary:
- Serum GH levels were significantly lower and PRL levels significantly higher in moderate and severe HIE neonates during the acute stage compared to controls and mild HIE.
- GH and PRL levels showed a significant negative correlation in acute HIE.
- During convalescence, GH levels increased and PRL levels decreased, normalizing to control levels across all HIE subgroups.
Impact:
- GH and PRL may play a role in the pathophysiology of HIE.
- Serum GH and PRL levels are indicative of HIE severity in the acute phase.
- These findings could inform diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies for HIE.
Objective:
To investigate the levels and roles of serum growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Methods:
Serum GH and PRL levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 54 neonates with HIE (20 mild, 19 moderate and 15 severe HIE) at the acute and convalescence stages. Twenty normal neonates were used as controls.
Results:
Serum GH levels were significantly lower, but PRL levels were significantly higher in moderate and severe HIE neonates at the acute stage compared with those of controls and mild HIE neonates (P < 0.01). There were noticeable differences in serum levels of GH and PRL between the moderate and severe HIE cases (P < 0.01). During the convalescence stage, serum GH levels increased and PRL levels decreased in moderate and severe HIE neonates compared with those at the acute stage (P < 0.01); serum GH and PRL levels in each sub-group of HIE restored to the levels of controls. There was a closely negative correlation between GH and PRL levels at the acute stage of HIE (r = -0.8759, P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
GH and PRL might be involved in the pathophysiological process of HIE. The levels of GH and PRL closely relate to the severity of HIE at the acute stage.
