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Physiological growth hormone secretion in children with short stature and intra-uterine growth retardation

F M Ackland1, R Stanhope, C Eyre

  • 1Department of Growth and Development, Institute of Child Health, London, UK.

Hormone Research
|January 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated growth hormone secretion in children with short stature and low birth weight, including those with Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS). Abnormal growth hormone patterns were observed, potentially contributing to growth failure in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth Disorders

Background:

  • Short stature and low birth weight are common concerns in pediatric endocrinology.
  • Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS) is a genetic disorder characterized by pre- and postnatal growth retardation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate spontaneous overnight growth hormone (GH) secretion in prepubertal children with short stature and low birth weight.
  • To compare GH secretion patterns between children with and without clinical characteristics of Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS).

Main Methods:

  • Studied 31 prepubertal children (mean age 6.0 years) with short stature (mean height SDS -2.84) and low birth weight (mean SDS -2.82).
  • Assessed overnight profiles of spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion.
  • Classified patients based on clinical characteristics of Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS).

Main Results:

  • Four children had a maximum GH concentration below 20 mU/l.
  • Nine children with RSS exhibited a single large GH peak during the night.
  • Most non-RSS children had normal GH pulse frequency, but three boys showed a fast-frequency pattern.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal growth hormone secretion patterns may play a role in growth failure observed in children with low birth weight and/or RSS.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of GH secretion abnormalities in these conditions.

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