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Vitamin A deficiency and nocturnal growth hormone secretion in short children
D Evain-Brion1, D Porquet, P Thérond
1Service d'Endocrinoligie et Diabétologie Infantile, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France.
Insights
Low vitamin A levels are linked to reduced nocturnal growth hormone (GH) secretion in short children. Supplementation improved GH release, suggesting vitamin A
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Growth Hormone Research
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) neurosecretory dysfunction affects children with delayed bone age.
- This condition is characterized by low nocturnal GH secretion despite normal responses to stimuli.
- The role of nutrition, specifically vitamin A, in this dysfunction is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma vitamin A levels and GH secretion in short prepubertal children.
- To assess the impact of vitamin A supplementation on nocturnal GH secretion.
Main Methods:
- Compared plasma vitamin A with nocturnal and stimulated GH secretion in 68 short prepubertal children.
- Assessed dietary vitamin A intake.
- Administered vitamin A supplementation to a subset of children and measured subsequent GH secretion.
Main Results:
- Fasting plasma vitamin A levels positively correlated with nocturnal GH secretion.
- Children with abnormal nocturnal GH secretion had lower dietary vitamin A intake.
- Vitamin A supplementation (3000 micrograms for 3 months) increased nocturnal GH secretion in 9 of 12 children.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A deficiency may contribute to impaired nocturnal growth hormone secretion in short children.
- Vitamin A supplementation shows potential for improving GH secretion in affected children.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking vitamin A and GH regulation.
Abstract:
In the growth hormone (GH) neurosecretory dysfunction syndrome affecting slowly growing children with delayed bone age, low nocturnal GH secretion is accompanied by normal responses to pharmacological stimuli. We compared plasma vitamin A with physiological nocturnal and stimulated GH secretion in 68 short prepubertal children. Fasting plasma vitamin A correlated with nocturnal GH secretion but not with stimulated GH secretion. Total dietary vitamin A intake was significantly lower in short children with abnormal nocturnal GH secretion than in normal children and in endocrinologically-normal short children. 9 of 12 children with low nocturnal GH secretion and normal stimulated GH peaks who were supplemented with vitamin A 3000 micrograms for 3 months had increased nocturnal GH secretion.