[Intestinal inflammation-induced child growth failure: immunologic and endocrine mechanisms]

Jing-Qiu Ma1, Xiao-Yang Sheng

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Health Care, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China.

Insights

Children with intestinal inflammation often experience stunted linear growth. Inflammatory cytokines may disrupt the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis, impairing bone growth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Inflammation research

Context:

  • Children with intestinal inflammation frequently exhibit faltering linear growth.
  • Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are critical for postnatal longitudinal bone growth.
  • Disruption of the GH/IGF axis leads to growth failure in pediatric populations.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the impact of intestinal inflammation on the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis.
  • To explore the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in growth impairment associated with intestinal inflammation.

Summary:

  • Children with intestinal inflammation show elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
  • These cytokines may systemically and locally affect the growth plate, interfering with the GH/IGF axis.
  • This interference contributes to the observed growth failure in affected children.

Impact:

  • Provides insight into the mechanisms underlying growth deficits in pediatric intestinal inflammatory diseases.
  • Highlights the GH/IGF axis as a potential therapeutic target for growth restoration.
  • Enhances understanding of the systemic effects of chronic inflammation on skeletal development.

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