SERUM CONCENTRATION OF GROWTH HORMONNE, INSULIN LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1, PROCOLLAGEN-1 AND PROLACTIN IN INFANTS AND CJILDREN WITH GROWTH DISORDERS

Mohamed NG*, El-Rehany M**, Nageeb HF***, Sallam SA* and Abdel-El-Maboud M*

* Pediatric Department, El-Minia University, El Minia, Egypt

** Biochemistry Deparetment, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt

*** Pediatric Department, Cairo University, Beni-Suef Branch, Egypt

 

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between growth hormone (GH) and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and to show their value together with procolagen (PINP) and prolactin (PRL) in diagnosis of growth disorders.

Methods: GH, IGF-I, PINP and PRL were measured by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) in serum samples of two groups. Group 1 included seventy patients with growth disorders (sixteen patients with primary growth disorders, twenty-four patients with secondary growth disorders and thirty patients with idiopathic short stature and group 2 included twenty-five healthy controls.

Results: Serum levels of GH, IGF-I, PINP and PRL were significantly lower in the group with growth disorders than in the healthy controls. The lowest levels of those markers were found in patients with secondary growth disorders which are growth failure resulting from chronic illness or endocrinal disorder. There was a statistically significant difference in serum levels of GH, IGF-I, PINP and PRL among different groups of patients.

Conclusion: Serum GH and IGF-I are essential for maintaining physical growth in healthy infants and children and in children with growth disorders but other growth factors as PINP and PRL might be needed for assessment of growth.

 
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