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Growth hormone status in six children with fetal alcohol syndrome
A Hellström1, C Jansson, M Boguszewski
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Insights
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) exhibit growth hormone (GH) secretion rates similar to those born small for gestational age (SGA), indicating lower normal ranges. This finding is crucial for understanding growth patterns in FAS.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
- Growth Hormone Physiology
Background:
- Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of preventable birth defects, potentially leading to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
- FAS is associated with significant pre- and postnatal growth retardation.
- Understanding growth hormone dynamics is critical for managing growth deficits in children with FAS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spontaneous 24-hour growth hormone (GH) secretion in prepubertal children with FAS.
- To compare GH secretion, GH stimulation test responses, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels in children with FAS to healthy controls and children born small for gestational age (SGA).
Main Methods:
- Measured spontaneous 24-hour GH secretion in six prepubertal children with FAS (aged 4-14 years).
- Assessed GH stimulation test responses, and plasma levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3.
- Compared findings with healthy children (normal and short stature) and children born SGA.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in mean 24-hour GH secretion (area under the curve or GHmax) were observed between children with FAS and reference groups.
- Spontaneous 24-hour GH secretion rate in children with FAS was similar to SGA children but lower than normal stature children (p=0.02).
- Plasma IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were at the lower end of the normal range.
Conclusions:
- Growth hormone secretion in short children with fetal alcohol syndrome is comparable to that of short children born small for gestational age.
- GH secretion in children with FAS falls within the lower range of normal.
- These findings suggest a potential shared mechanism or consequence affecting GH secretion in both FAS and SGA populations.
Objective:
Prenatal alcohol exposure may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with pre- and postnatal retardation.
Materials And Methods:
Spontaneous 24-h growth hormone (GH) secretion was measured in six prepubertal short children with FAS (two boys and four girls) aged 4-14 years. The response to a GH stimulation test, and levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were also measured. Comparisons were made between the children with FAS and healthy children of both normal and short stature, as well as children born small for gestational age (SGA).
Results:
There were no differences in the mean area under the curve above the baseline or the maximum level of GH during a 24-h period (GHmax) between the children with FAS and the reference groups. However, the estimated rate of spontaneous 24-h GH secretion in children with FAS was similar to that of children born SGA, but lower than in children of normal stature (p = 0.02). The plasma concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were in the lower parts of the normal range.
Conclusion:
We conclude that GH secretion in short children with FAS is similar to that in short children born SGA; that is, in the lower range of normal children.