The short child with subnormal plasma somatomedin C

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Updated: Oct 12, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
11:36

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood

Published on: April 28, 2016

D Rudman, M H Kutner, R K Chawla

    Pediatric Research
    |October 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Accurate measurement of plasma somatomedin C in children requires multiple blood samples. Short children with low somatomedin C levels, regardless of growth hormone status, show growth improvement with human growth hormone therapy.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Growth Hormone Research
    • Metabolic Studies

    Background:

    • Establishing normal ranges for plasma somatomedin C is crucial for diagnosing growth disorders in children.
    • Previous studies may not have optimized the frequency of blood sampling for accurate somatomedin C assessment.
    • Understanding the role of somatomedin C in short stature is essential for effective treatment strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the normal range of plasma somatomedin C in healthy children aged 7-10 years.
    • To investigate the diagnostic utility of plasma somatomedin C levels in identifying short children.
    • To evaluate the efficacy of human growth hormone therapy in short children with varying somatomedin C and growth hormone levels.

    Main Methods:

    • Plasma somatomedin C levels were measured in 118 healthy children (59 male, 59 female) aged 7-10 years.
    • Multiple blood samples were collected at 6-week intervals to establish optimal testing protocols.
    • Short children (below the 3rd percentile) were assessed for plasma somatomedin C and growth hormone status; growth hormone therapy was administered for 6 months.

    Main Results:

    • The 95% tolerance limits for plasma somatomedin C were most accurate when based on the mean of four determinations.
    • In short children, 44% had below-normal plasma somatomedin C levels; 19 were growth hormone deficient, 20 were not.
    • Both growth hormone-deficient and non-deficient short children showed significant height increases with human growth hormone treatment.

    Conclusions:

    • A mean of four plasma somatomedin C determinations is recommended for accurate assessment in children.
    • Low somatomedin C levels identify a subset of short children who may benefit from growth hormone therapy, irrespective of growth hormone deficiency.
    • Human growth hormone therapy is effective in promoting linear growth in short children with hyposomatomedinemia.

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