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Circulating gonadotropin profile in severe cases of protein calorie malnutrition

I Chakravarty, R Sreedhar, K K Ghosh

    Fertility and Sterility
    |May 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Severe protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) in children significantly lowers luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, potentially delaying puberty. Conversely, prolactin (PRL) levels are elevated, possibly contributing to edema in certain malnutrition forms.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Nutritional Science
    • Hormone Regulation

    Background:

    • Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) is a severe condition affecting children globally.
    • Hormonal imbalances are suspected in various forms of PCM, including kwashiorkor, marasmic kwashiorkor, and marasmus.
    • The impact of PCM on key reproductive hormones like LH, FSH, and PRL requires further elucidation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) in children with severe PCM.
    • To explore the correlation between these hormone levels and different clinical presentations of PCM.
    • To understand the potential implications for pubertal development and edema in malnourished children.

    Main Methods:

    • Blood samples were collected from children aged 2-14 years diagnosed with severe PCM (kwashiorkor, marasmic kwashiorkor, marasmus).
    • Circulating levels of LH, FSH, and PRL were quantified using established immunoassays.
    • Hormone levels were analyzed across different age groups and PCM subtypes.

    Main Results:

    • Significantly lowered levels of LH and FSH were observed in all children with PCM, irrespective of age or subtype.
    • Significantly elevated PRL levels were detected in all studied PCM patients.
    • PRL levels were highest in children with kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor compared to marasmus, correlating with edema presence.

    Conclusions:

    • PCM is associated with significant alterations in key pituitary hormones, including suppressed gonadotropins (LH, FSH) and elevated prolactin (PRL).
    • The observed hormonal changes may explain delayed puberty onset in PCM.
    • Elevated PRL levels might be implicated in the pathophysiology of edema seen in kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor.

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