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Serum prolactin levels in renal insufficiency in children
Insights
Children with chronic kidney disease on dialysis show elevated prolactin levels. Successful kidney transplants normalized these prolactin levels, suggesting the kidneys influence prolactin metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Renal disease can affect hormone regulation.
- Prolactin's role in renal function is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate basal prolactin levels in children with renal disease.
- To assess the impact of renal failure and dialysis on prolactin concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Compared basal prolactin in 48 children with renal disease to 34 healthy controls.
- Measured prolactin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in some patients.
- Monitored prolactin and creatinine before and after hemodialysis.
Main Results:
- Children with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis had elevated prolactin levels.
- Prolactin levels normalized in patients post-kidney transplantation.
- Hemodialysis did not significantly alter prolactin levels or osmolality.
Conclusions:
- The kidney plays a significant role in prolactin metabolism.
- Chronic renal failure and hemodialysis are associated with hyperprolactinemia in children.
- Successful renal transplantation can reverse hyperprolactinemia.
Abstract:
Basal prolactin concentrations in forty-eight children with acute or chronic renal disease have been compared with those in thirty-four healthy control subjects. Elevated basal prolactin levels and an abnormal prolactin response to intravenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone were found in children with chronic renal failure on maintenance intermittent haemodialysis. No significant change in plasma prolactin concentrations and osmolality was observed before and after haemodialysis, despite a fall in plasma creatinine concentrations. The elevated prolactin levels fell to normal in three patients after successful renal transplantation. It is suggested that the kidney has an important role to play in prolactin metabolism.