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Comparison of collagen propeptides as growth markers in children with inflammatory bowel disease

J S Hyams1, W R Treem, D E Carey

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut.

Gastroenterology
|April 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Serum collagen propeptides accurately reflect growth activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients. Measuring type I and type III procollagen can help monitor growth, with neither offering an advantage over the other.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience growth disturbances.
  • Biochemical markers are needed to assess growth activity in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare serum concentrations of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P I CP) and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (P III NP) as markers of growth activity in pediatric IBD.
  • To evaluate the correlation between these propeptides and growth velocity.
  • To assess the impact of corticosteroid therapy on propeptide levels.

Main Methods:

  • Serum levels of P I CP and P III NP were measured in 46 children and adolescents with IBD.
  • Growth velocity was assessed and correlated with propeptide concentrations.
  • Propeptide levels were compared between patients on different corticosteroid regimens and those with growth arrest.

Main Results:

  • Significant correlations were found between growth velocity and both P I CP (r=0.65) and P III NP (r=0.64) concentrations (P<0.001).
  • Serum P I CP levels were approximately 15 times higher than P III NP, but highly correlated (r=0.66; P<0.001).
  • Daily corticosteroid therapy was associated with significantly lower propeptide levels (P<0.01) compared to alternate-day or no therapy. Children with growth arrest had levels similar to adults.

Conclusions:

  • Serum concentrations of both P I CP and P III NP effectively reflect growth activity in pediatric IBD.
  • Routine measurement of collagen propeptides may be clinically valuable for monitoring growth in children with IBD.
  • Measuring either P I CP or P III NP offers no distinct advantage over the other for assessing growth activity.

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