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Serum prolactin levels in children were assessed. Normal children and those with isolated growth hormone deficiency showed similar prolactin responses, unlike children with hypothalamo-pituitary disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Hormone Research
Background:
- Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone with various physiological roles.
- Understanding prolactin dynamics in children is crucial for diagnosing endocrine disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate basal and stimulated serum prolactin concentrations in prepubertal children.
- To compare prolactin responses in normal children, those with isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency, and children with hypothalamo-pituitary disease.
Main Methods:
- Measured basal serum prolactin in 50 normal prepubertal children.
- Assessed prolactin levels during insulin-induced hypoglycemia and intravenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests.
- Compared prolactin levels with those of GH, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and gonadotropins.
Main Results:
- No significant sex-based difference in basal prolactin levels in normal prepubertal children.
- Similar basal and stimulated prolactin levels were observed in normal children and those with isolated GH deficiency.
- Children with hypothalamo-pituitary disease often had normal basal prolactin but impaired responses to hypoglycemia and TRH stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Basal prolactin levels are generally within the normal adult female range in prepubertal children.
- Dynamic prolactin testing may reveal subtle hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction not evident from basal levels.
- Prolactin stimulation tests can aid in differentiating endocrine disorders in children with short stature.
Abstract:
Basal serum prolactin concentrations have been measured in 50 normal prepubertal children. There was no significant difference in prolactin levels between males and females and all concentrations were within the normal range for adult females (3-15 mug/l). Prolactin concentrations before and during insulin hypoglycaemia and intravenous thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) have been measured in normal children of short stature, in children with isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency and in those with hypothalamo-pituitary disease. There was no difference in either basal or stimulated prolactin levels in the normal group compared with the isolated GH-deficient group. In most of the children with hypothalamo-pituitary disease basal prolactin concentrations were within the normal range but there was an impaired response to both hypoglycaemia and TRH. Basal and stimulated levels of prolactin are compared in the same subjects with those of GH, thyroid stimulating hormone and the gonadotrophins and the clinical value of the dynamic tests described is discussed.