Related Experiment Videos
[Osteocalcin in children of short stature and its nocturnal variations]
Insights
Serum osteocalcin (Gla-P) levels are lower in young children with growth retardation. Gla-P shows nocturnal periodicity but lacks correlation with growth hormone, suggesting its potential use in evaluating short stature in children.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Growth retardation in children is a significant concern.
- Osteocalcin (Gla-P) is a bone-specific protein reflecting bone turnover.
- Understanding biomarkers for growth assessment is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate serum osteocalcin (Gla-P) levels in children with and without growth retardation.
- To explore the relationship between Gla-P, age, puberty, and growth hormone (hGH).
- To assess the diurnal variation and intra-individual variability of Gla-P.
Summary:
- Serum Gla-P was measured in children with normal stature and growth retardation, grouped by age.
- Younger children (1-10 years) with growth retardation showed significantly lower Gla-P levels.
- This difference diminished in older children (≥11 years). Gla-P exhibited nocturnal periodicity, peaking between 4-6 AM, but no correlation with hGH was found.
- Significant intra-individual variations were noted over a 2-week interval.
Impact:
- Serum osteocalcin (Gla-P) may be a useful biomarker for evaluating growth retardation in young children.
- The findings highlight the need for standardized blood sampling protocols for Gla-P assessment in pediatric populations.
- Further research is needed to clarify the clinical utility and variability of Gla-P in pediatric growth assessment.
Abstract:
Serum osteocalcin (Gla-P) was measured in 65 children with normal stature for age and in 116 children with growth retardation, excluding endocrine disorders, in matched groups according to age: 1-6 years (n = 33); 7-10 years (n = 49); 11-14 years (n = 72); 15-18 years (n = 27). Thirty of these patients were retested at 2 weeks interval. In addition, Gla-P and growth hormone (hGH) were assayed in blood samples obtained every 20 minutes during sleep in 12 children with growth retardation. In younger children, Gla-P levels were significantly lower in patients with growth retardation, when compared with normal children. In contrast, this difference was no longer significant in children above 11, with either normal or delayed puberty. However, important intra-individual variations of Gla-P levels were observed on blood samples obtained at 2 weeks interval. A nocturnal periodicity in Gla-P was found; Gla-P rose slightly during sleep in the patients studied, maximum concentration being reached between 4 and 6 AM. No correlation between integrated concentrations of hGH and Gla-P was found. Gla-P determination may be of interest in the evaluation of young children with short stature. Standardized conditions of blood sampling for Gla-P use in children remain to be determined.