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Growth hormone response patterns in sexually or physically abused boys.
J B Jensen1, J J Pease, R ten Bensel
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Childhood abuse impacts growth hormone release. Sexually abused boys show higher growth hormone responses to clonidine versus L-dopa, while physically abused boys show lower ratios, especially with development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Child psychology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Childhood abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, can have profound and lasting effects on development.
- Growth hormone (GH) plays a critical role in childhood growth and development.
- The neuroendocrine system, including GH regulation, may be sensitive to early life stress and trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential impact of physical and sexual abuse on growth hormone (GH) release patterns.
- To compare the GH response to pharmacological challenges (clonidine and L-dopa) in abused versus control groups of boys.
- To explore potential correlations between the type of abuse, physical development, and neuroendocrine responses.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 74 boys was assessed, categorized into groups with purported physical abuse, sexual abuse, normal controls, and psychiatric controls.
- Growth hormone response was measured following challenges with clonidine and L-dopa.
- The ratio of GH response to clonidine versus L-dopa was calculated and compared across the different groups.
- Statistical analyses were employed to determine significant differences.
Main Results:
- Sexually abused boys exhibited a statistically significant elevation in the GH response ratio (clonidine/L-dopa).
- Physically abused boys showed significantly lower GH response ratios compared to control groups.
- These observed differences in GH response ratios became more pronounced with increasing physical development (e.g., pubertal status).
Conclusions:
- Childhood sexual abuse is associated with an altered GH response pattern to clonidine and L-dopa.
- Childhood physical abuse is linked to diminished GH responsiveness ratios, particularly as boys mature.
- These findings suggest that different forms of childhood abuse may differentially affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and GH regulation.