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[Nocturnal changes in osteocalcin in children with constitutional growth retardation]
M Sposito1, G De Giorgi, R Palumbo
1Istituto di Pediatria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy.
Insights
Serum Osteocalcin (BGP) showed a nocturnal pattern in children with growth retardation, peaking during sleep. No correlation was found with Growth Hormone (GH) levels, suggesting BGP
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism Research
- Biochemical Markers
Context:
- Growth retardation in children presents diagnostic challenges.
- Bone turnover markers are crucial for assessing skeletal health.
- Understanding hormonal influences on bone metabolism is vital.
Purpose:
- To investigate the nocturnal periodicity of serum Bone Gla-Protein (Osteocalcin) in children with growth retardation.
- To explore potential correlations between Osteocalcin levels and Growth Hormone (GH) during a 12-hour period.
- To evaluate the utility of Osteocalcin as a marker in pediatric short stature.
Summary:
- Serum Osteocalcin (BGP) exhibited a distinct nocturnal pattern in 5 children with growth retardation, with concentrations rising during sleep and peaking between 3-5 a.m.
- No significant correlations were identified between circulating Osteocalcin levels and Growth Hormone (GH) concentrations in the studied subjects.
- These findings suggest Osteocalcin's potential role in evaluating children with short stature, pending further standardization.
Impact:
- Highlights the potential of Osteocalcin as a biomarker for bone turnover in pediatric growth disorders.
- Suggests that GH levels may not directly correlate with nocturnal Osteocalcin fluctuations in this cohort.
- Underscores the need for standardized analytical methods for reliable clinical application of Osteocalcin measurements.
Abstract:
Growth Hormone (GH) and serum Bone GLA-Protein (BGP or Osteocalcin), a sensitive and specific marker of bone turnover, were measured in 5 children with growth retardation, during 12 h period from 8 p.m. every 30'. A nocturnal periodicity in Osteocalcin was found: BGP rose slightly during sleep in the patients studied, maximum concentration being reached between 3 and 5 a.m. There were no consistent correlations between Osteocalcin concentration and circulating levels of GH in the subjects tested. BGP determination may be of interest in the evaluation of children with short stature but standardized analytical conditions remain to be determined.