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Growth hormone secretion in children with normal variants of short stature
1Universidad Autónoma, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of Niño, Jesús, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Short stature in children may be linked to abnormal pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion patterns. This study investigated GH secretion in prepubertal children with short stature, revealing potential links to growth hormone release abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Growth Hormone Physiology
- Childhood Growth Disorders
Background:
- Pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion is crucial for prepubertal growth.
- Short stature in children can have various underlying causes.
- Investigating GH secretion patterns may clarify causes of short stature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if abnormal pulsatile GH secretion patterns contribute to short stature in prepubertal children.
- To analyze spontaneous GH secretion in prepubertal children with short stature and normal growth velocity.
Main Methods:
- Studied spontaneous GH secretion over 24 hours in 139 short children and 37 controls.
- Utilized a computerized mathematical algorithm (Cluster) for pulsatility analysis.
- Assessed GH secretory response to clonidine, GHRH, and insulin-induced hypoglycemia in short children.
Main Results:
- Mean 24-hour GH levels showed a wide distribution (1.4-7.8 ng/ml).
- Short stature groups were categorized based on bone age and familial history.
- Further analysis of GH secretory responses to stimuli was conducted.
Conclusions:
- Abnormalities in pulsatile GH secretion may play a role in some cases of short stature.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between GH secretion patterns and short stature.
- Understanding these patterns can aid in diagnosing and managing growth disorders.
Abstract:
Pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion plays a central role in human growth during the prepubertal period of life. In order to investigate whether or not short stature in prepubertal children with normal variants of short stature (NVSS) may be explained, at least in part, by the presence of abnormalities in the pulsatile pattern of GH secretion, we have studied the spontaneous secretion of GH/24 h in 139 prepubertal children with short stature (< or = -2 SD) and normal growth velocity (> -1 SD) and in 37 prepubertal children with normal height and growth velocity. All of the subjects included in this study exhibited a body mass index (BMI) lower than 1 SD. The patients with short stature were divided into three groups according to their bone age and the existence of familial antecedents of short stature. These groups were: (1) familial short stature without bone age retardation (FSS-1); (2) constitutional, nonfamilial short stature, with bone age retardation suggesting further delay of puberty (possible constitutional delay of growth and puberty), and (3) familial short stature with bone age retardation (FSS-2). Spontaneous GH secretion was analyzed by using a computerized mathematical algorithm of pulsatility (Cluster). In addition, in all of the patients with short stature, the GH secretory response to three different pharmacological stimuli was evaluated, including: clonidine, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and hypoglycemia after insulin administration. The mean values of GH/24 h exhibited a wide range of distribution (1.4-7.8ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)