Hormone In Children Research Articles

Associations of Co-Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals with Sex Steroid Hormones among Children Aged 6–19 Years

Plain Language SummaryPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and HMs are two classic groups of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). PAHs usually coexist with HMs and they may have a combined effect in affecting sex hormone levels in children. Sex steroid hormones have an important role in children’s growth and development which affects growth rate, central nervous system function, normal skeletal mineralization, and reproductive health. This study investigated the correlations between co-exposure to PAHs and HMs and levels of sex steroid hormones in children. Weighted multivariate linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to analyze the associations between co-exposure to PAHs and HMs and sex steroid hormone levels. We found that co-exposure to PAHs and HMs was associated with the levels of estradiol (E2), the testosterone (TT)/E2 ratio, free androgen index (FAI), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Our analysis reveals that co-exposure to PAHs and HMs is hazardous to the reproductive health of children, and further mechanism and prospective studies are needed to provide additional substantial evidence.

Growth with something other than growth hormone in children with craniopharyngioma

Growth with something other than growth hormone in children with craniopharyngioma

Assessment of Serum Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone in Children With Beta Thalassemia Major: A Case-Control Study.

A defective synthesis of vitamin D contributes to alterations in calcium homeostasis due to chronic endocrinopathies, leading to metabolic bone diseases. This study aimed to ascertain the levels of calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in children with β-thalassemia. In this case-control study, 36 children with major β-thalassemia receiving iron chelation therapy were included. For the control group, 36 cases matched for age and sex were selected. The packed cell volume (PCV) requirements varied among the thalassemic children, with an average PCV requirement of 78.57±49.07. The study was conducted for six months in the Department of Pediatrics at the Government Medical College, Nagpur, India. Serum PTH levels were determined by immunoassay, and serum vitamin D levels were assessed using electrochemiluminescence technique. Additional tests looked at liver function, serum ferritin, calcium, phosphorus, and complete blood count. The student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. In comparison to the control group (10.4±1.21 g/dL), the case group's mean hemoglobin level was considerably lower (5.62±1.9 g/dL) (p<0.001). The mean serum ferritin level in the cases was notably higher (3073±1262.24 ng/mL) compared to the control group's level (58.37±29.67 ng/mL) (p<0.001). A total of 80.6% of cases compared to 5.6% of controls had vitamin D deficiency, and 72.2% of cases compared to 2.8% of controls had PTH deficit, both of which showed statistically significant differences (p<0.001). Significant differences were observed between the case and control groups for the mean levels of total serum calcium (8.51±0.84 mg/dL), vitamin D (15.23±10.07 ng/mL), and PTH (14.66±19.86 pg/mL) (9.13±0.6 mg/dL, p=0.05; 34.94±9.57 ng/mL, p<0.001; 32.08±12.42 pg/mL, p<0.001; respectively). Growth failure may result from the markedly reduced serum calcium, vitamin D, and PTH levelsin children with β-thalassemia. The relevance of treatment approaches is highlighted by the possibility that these anomalies are caused by excessive iron and inadequate nutritional support.

Gender features of regulatory relationships of homocysteine, pituitary and thyroid hormones in children from areas affected by the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant

Gender features of regulatory relationships of homocysteine, pituitary and thyroid hormones in children from areas affected by the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant

Therapeutic efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone in children with different etiologies of dwarfism from a pharmacoeconomic point of view.

Treatment outcomes for different causes of childhood dwarfism vary widely, and there are no studies on the economic burden of treatment in relation to outcomes. This paper compared the efficacy and healthcare costs per unit height of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS) with a view to providing a more cost-effective treatment option for children. We retrospectively analyzed 117 cases (66 cases of GHD and 51 cases of ISS) of short-stature children who first visited Weifang People's Hospital between 2019.1 and 2022.1 and were treated with rhGH for 1 to 3 years to track the treatment effect and statistically analyzed by using paired t tests, non-parametric tests, and chi-square tests, to evaluate the efficacy of rhGH treatment for GHD and ISS children and the medicinal cost. The annual growth velocity (GV) of children with GHD and ISS increased the fastest during 3 to 6 months after treatment and then gradually slowed down. The GV of the GHD group was higher than that of the ISS group from 0 to 36 months after treatment (P < .05 at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months); the height standard deviation scores (HtSDS) of the children in the GHD and ISS groups increased gradually with the increase of the treatment time, and the changes in the height standard deviation scores (ΔHtSDS) of the GHD group were more significant than those of the ISS group (P < .05 at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). (2) The medical costs in the pubertal group for a 1-cm increase in height were higher than those of children in the pre-pubertal group at the same stage (3 to 24 months P < .05). The longer the treatment time within the same group, the higher the medical cost of increasing 1cm height. RhGH is effective in treating children with dwarfism to promote height growth, and the effect on children with GHD is better than that of children with ISS; the earlier the treatment time, the lower the medical cost and the higher the comprehensive benefit.

Association between systemic immunity-inflammation index and sex hormones in children and adolescents aged 6–19

Association between systemic immunity-inflammation index and sex hormones in children and adolescents aged 6–19

Health Education of Parents About Baby Massage for Stunting Toddler in The Working Area of The Sumbergempol Puskesmas 2024

The decline in stunting rates in Indonesia is very slow. Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in toddlers under 5 years of age which can have a long-term impact on the quality and productivity of the nation's next generation of children. In this era of development, many parents still believe in shamans and lack knowledge about the many benefits of baby massage which can help optimize children's growth and development to prevent stunting. This community service aims to provide health education to parents about baby massage to reduce stunting rates. The results and discussion of this community service were positive responses from 30 parents who had taken part in the activity of providing health education about the benefits of baby massage on children's growth and development. Providing intervention in the form of baby massage can stimulate growth hormones in children so that mothers or parents have the knowledge and motivation to carry out baby massages regularly. The conclusion from this community service is that there is a significant influence of health education about baby massage on mothers' attitudes towards being able to do baby massage as an effort to prevent stunting.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of biosimilar recombinant growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency: non-inferiority, randomized, parallel, multicentric and Phase III trial

ABSTRACT Objectives This study is designed in order to compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) with the reference brand. Methods According to the inclusion criteria, 85 people in 13 Iranian centers were randomly selected to receive biosimilar Somatropin (Somatin®) (44 people) and reference Somatropin (Norditropin®) (41 people) at a dose of 35 µg/kg/d, seven days/week for 12 months. The primary outcomes included height velocity (HV) was measured during 12 months of treatment. Results The two intervention groups’ Height changes were similar. The mean HV was 10.96 cm/year in the biosimilar group and 10.05 cm/year in the reference groups after 12 months. Estimates of the lower bounds of 95% CI for mean height differences in the biosimilar intervention group compared to the reference intervention group did not exceed the 2 cm margin. Therefore, the non-inferiority of biosimilar intervention compared to the brand product is verified. Common ADRs in both groups were nausea in two patients (2.4%), diarrhea in two patients (2.4%), increased body temperature in one patient (1.2%), and headache in one patient (1.2%). Conclusions The finding of this study indicated that Somatin® and Norditropin® have comparable efficacy and safety profiles. Clinical trial registration www.IRCT.irIRCT20171122037571N1.

Update on the use of long-acting growth hormone in children.

After extensive research and many years of waiting, long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) formulations have finally become a reality in clinical practice and emerge as a potential solution to address the challenges of daily injections of recombinant human GH (rhGH). In this review, we present a brief history of the development of LAGH and provide a critical analysis of the existing literature on the five LAGH available and approved to date for treatment in children. In clinical trials, LAGH therapy has shown noninferiority compared with daily rhGH therapy in promoting linear growth in children with GH deficiency, with similar rates of adverse events. In the real world, many questions still need to be answered, such as whether a specific group of patients will benefit most from the weekly injection, whether compliance will be better compared with daily rhGH, whether long-term efficacy, monitoring and safety profile will be the same for the different LAGH compounds, and whether the cost-effectiveness will justify their use in different settings.

Reference intervals determination for TSH and thyroid hormones in children, adults and pregnant women by four different platforms (Abbott Anility, Beckman Coulter access, Roche Cobas, and Siemens centaur) in Hungarian population

Reference intervals determination for TSH and thyroid hormones in children, adults and pregnant women by four different platforms (Abbott Anility, Beckman Coulter access, Roche Cobas, and Siemens centaur) in Hungarian population

Regulatory connections of the folate cycle and pituitary-thyroid hormones in children from areas affected by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The aim of this article is to formulate a scientific conception about the regulatory connections of the folate cycle (FC) and the pituitary-thyroid axis based on the results of the authors’ research conducted when examining children from areas affected by the Chоrnobyl accident. Materials and methods: analytical, bibliographic. The research materials are published research articles by the authors. Results. During the statistical and correlation analysis of metabolic parameters of children from areas bordering the Chоrnobyl nuclear power plant, an association was revealed between FC and hormones of the pituitary-thyroid axis. A scientific conception is presented about the participation of homocysteine (Hcy) in the regulation of hormonogenesis of the thyroid gland (TG), according to which Hcy activates the synthesis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the cells of the adenohypophysis (AH). In turn, TSH activates the process of T4 deodination with the formation of T3 in peripheral tissues. At the same time, Hcy is also directly involved in the formation of cysteine, a component of the coenzyme part of 5-Di deiodinase, which also enhances the process of T3 formation. T3, acting on the MTHFR FC, enhances the formation of CH3-MTHF, and thereby activates the process of Hcy methylation. A decrease in the concentration of Hcy in the blood leads to a decrease in the formation of TSH in AG cells. Thus, T3 blocks the synthesis of TSH, through FC, enhancing the process of Hcy methylation. Conclusions. The regulation of the interaction between hypertension and the thyroid gland is carried out using the sulfur-containing amino acid Hcy, a product of methionine metabolism. THS production is not suppressed by T3, but by a decrease in Hcy blood concentration associated with T3 effects on FC. The increase in Hcy content in the blood of children from settlements located near the Chоrnobyl Nuclear Power Plant is due to mutation of the genes responsible for the synthesis of the main FC enzymes, as well as exposure to radionuclides incorporated into their body. The state of hyperhomocysteinemia can cause changes in thyroid hormone metabolism, creating the illusion of hypothyroidism.

THE EFFECT OF ROSE AROMATHERAPY (ROSA CENTIFOLIA) ON SLEEP DURATION FOR INFANTS AGED 0-28 DAYS AT PONCOWATI PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER LAMPUNG TENGAH IN 2022

ABSTRACT Approximately 75% of growth hormone in children is excreted during sleep. In Indonesia, quite a lot of babies have sleep problems, which is around 44.2% of babies experience sleep disorders such as frequently waking up at night, but more than 72% of parents consider sleep disturbances in infants not a problem or only consider it a small problem (Sekartini , 2012; Chandraini, 2021).Based on presurvey data by looking at data on baby sleep duration problems, which was carried out in 2 Puskesmas Kabupaten Lampung Tengah, namely at UPTD Puskesmas Bandar Jaya and UPTD Puskesmas Poncowati, it was found that 12 infants aged 0-28 days had problems sleeping at UPTD Puskesmas Bandar Jaya, while in In Poncowati Health Center, 20 babies aged 0-28 days had problems fulfilling the baby's sleep time, which was marked by fussy babies and crying, babies couldn't sleep if they weren't carried by their mothers.This study was to determine the effect of giving rose aromatherapy on the sleep duration of infants aged 0-28 days at Poncowati Health Center in Lampung Tengah in 2022.The research method was qualitative with questionnaire research instruments, thenumber of samples were 36 respondents (infants aged 0-28 days) taken by purposive sampling technique, data analysis using t test with a two group pretest posttest approach with control group design.Result of the study with an increase in the average quality of baby sleep after beinggiven rose aromatherapy (Rosa Centifolia) at the Poncowati Health Center, Lampung Tengah in 2022 was 33.33% higher than the average increase in infant sleep quality in the control group of 29.17%. From the t-test, the p value of 0.001 ˂ α (0.05) means that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted, which means that there is an influence between the two variables.The conclusion is that there is an effect of giving rose aromatherapy on the sleepduration of infants aged 0-28 days. Therefore, it is suggested that this research can be an alternative to get good sleep quality for infants aged 0-28 days. Keywords : Infant, Rose Aromatherapy, Sleep Duration. Bibliography : (35) 2015-2021

Hormonal profile changes under the influence of environmental factors in children residing in the Aral environmental disaster region

BACKGROUND: Since the mid 20th century, the Southern Aral Sea Region is notorious as a region of ecological disaster, where anthropogenic influence led to the desiccation of the Aral Sea. Aridization of these territories is the cause of accumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals — pesticides and toxic metals in soil and water.&#x0D; AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the changes in hormonal profile under the influence of environmental factors in prepubertal children living at different distances from the epicenter of the Aral ecological disaster.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 58 male children aged 11–13 years. All children from birth lived in two regions of the Aral Sea Region and were divided into two groups depending on their place of residence. The group “North” (unfavorable conditions) consisted of 27 children from Muynak, Kungrad, Karauzyak, Takhtakupyr districts. The “Nukus” group (relatively favorable conditions) included 31 volunteers from Nukus city. All children were determined the concentration of IGF-1 — Insulin-like growth factor 1, GH — growth gormone, TT — total testosterone, E2 — estradiol, FSH — follicle-stimulating hormone, LH — luteinizing hormone, TSH — thyroid-stimulating hormone, TT3 — total triiodothyronine in blood sample. The statistical significance of the differences of the mentioned hormones in children from the “North” and “Nukus” groups was checked using the Mann–Whitney test.&#x0D; RESULTS: This analysis revealed statistically significantly higher values of TT, FSH and LH in children from the “Nukus” group compared to their peers from the “North” group. The concentrations of IGF-1, GH, E2, TTG and T3 in blood plasma in volunteers from both groups were not statistically significantly different.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The environment of the Aral ecological disaster region with increased content of organochlorine compounds, pesticides and heavy metals changes the endocrine status in local prepubertal children. This is expressed in a moderate decrease in the activity of androgens (but not estrogens) and gonadotropic hormones. This research work can be considered as a pilot study, which determines the need for further monitoring of endocrine disorders in children and adults living in negative environmental conditions.

European Academy of Paediatrics statement on the clinical management of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria.

Gender issues have become a polarised and political subject in modern paediatrics and indeed, in broader society. These include the management of infants with disorders of sex development and transgender sports participation, but especially recently regarding the management of gender dysphoria. The European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) acknowledges that there are deeply held beliefs about this issue based on conscience and social norms. Several European countries, led by the UK, have recently reviewed the management of gender dysphoria in children and young people. Recognising the need for far more research into treatments such as pubertal suppression and cross-sex hormones in children and young people, we review the current ethical and legal dilemmas facing children with gender dysphoria, their families and the clinical teams caring for them. We suggest an approach that maintains the child's right to an open future whilst acknowledging that the individual child is the crucial person affected by decisions made and must receive appropriate support in decision-making and care for any associated mental health or psychological issues. Noting that national approaches to this vary and are in flux, the EAP advocates a child-centred individual rights-based analytical approach.

Auxological and metabolic effects of long-term treatment with recombinant growth hormone in children born small for gestational age: a retrospective study.

Children born small for gestational age (SGA) not showing catch-up during the first two years of life reportedly show an impaired growth rate and adult height, as well as a worse metabolic outcome, mainly in terms of glycemic and lipid profile, compared to general population. In SGA children with short stature, treatment with recombinant growth hormone (GH) is currently recommended until adolescence; therefore, it may last long-term. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the auxological and metabolic effects and the safety of long-term recombinant GH treatment in SGA children. The study included 15 SGA children (5 F, 10 M; mean age: 6.78 yrs) treated with GH for at least 48 months. Growth and metabolic parameters, including glycemic and lipid profile, transaminases, and urycemia, were collected every six months. Compared to baseline, SGA children showed a significant improvement in height, weight, and growth rate after four yaers of treatment with GH (p ≤ 0.002), being already evident after six months of treatment (p < 0.001). Noteworthy, patients showed a constant, significant improvement in height throughout the treatment, as it was significantly higher at each follow-up compared to the previous one, until 42 months of treatment, except at 30 months of treatment (p < 0.001 T6VST12; p < 0.01 T12VST18, T18VST24; p < 0.05 T30VST36, T36VST42). Considering metabolic parameters, compared to baseline, a recurring increase in glycemia (p ≤ 0.028 vs T30, T36, and T48) and decrease in AST (p ≤ 0.035 vs T36, T42, and T48) and an occasional decrease in LDL cholesterol (p ≤ 0.04 vs T24 and T42) and triglycerides (p = 0.008 vs T18) and increase in urycemia (p = 0.034 vs T42). Considering safety profile, treatment was well tolerated, as the most frequently reported adverse event was poor compliance (20%); no hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia or hyperstransaminasemia occurred throughout the treatment, CONCLUSIONS: Long-term GH treatment showed to be effective in improving height and growth rate in SGA children, with a positive impact of metabolic profile and a safety profile, although glycemia should be carefully monitored over time.

A decrease in serum dihydrotestosterone levels in 9-year-old Vietnamese children from a dioxin exposure area.

Dioxin is an environmental pollutant as well as an endocrine disruptor in humans. Our longitudinal study wants to clarify the relationship between dioxin exposure and endocrine disorders in children living in the Vietnamese dioxin hotspot. Seventeen congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in maternal breast milk and seven serum steroid hormones in children of 43 and 46 mothers and their 9-year-old children from the non-exposure and the hotspot areas were measured, respectively. The steroid metabolic enzyme ratios were calculated based on the hormone level ratio. Most dioxin/furan congeners and toxic equivalents (TEQs) levels were significantly higher in the hotspot than in the non-exposure area, except for 2,4,7,8-TeCDF. The height and weight of girls from the hotspot area were substantially lower and inversely correlated with dioxin congener levels/total TEQs level dioxin. The dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the hotspot were markedly lower than those in non-exposed in both genders. The cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in the hotspot than those from the non-exposure area only in the girls. The DHT/testosterone ratios that exhibited the 5α- or 5β-reductase activity declined by 50% in the hotspot area for both genders. The DHT levels showed strong inverse correlations with almost the PCDDs/PCDFs congeners and total TEQs dioxin in breast milk. This finding suggests that dioxin exposure in maternal breast milk might impact children's endocrine system until 9 years old, especially on the DHT biosynthesis.

Vitamin D and the growth hormone in Children with Short Stature: Review Article

Vitamin D and the growth hormone in Children with Short Stature: Review Article

Impact of endocrine dysregulation on disability and non-motor symptoms in pediatric onset multiple sclerosis.

Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) commonly occurs at the time of various endocrine changes. Evaluation of the impact of endocrine status on disease severity in POMS has not been previously explored. This study sought to evaluate if sex and stress hormones in children with POMS impact motor and non-motor diseases severity. A single-center case control study was performed. Individuals with POMS were compared to individuals without neurologic disease. Each individual had three blood draws assessing stress and sex hormones between 07:00 and 09:00. Measures of fatigue (Epworth sleepiness scale), depression (PHQ-9), and quality of life (PedsQL) assessed at each visit. Forty individuals with POMS and 40 controls were enrolled. Individuals with POMS had lower free testosterone (p = 0.003), cortisol (p < 0.001), and ACTH (p < 0.001) and had higher progesterone (p = 0.025) levels than controls. Relapses and EDSS were not impacted by endocrine variables. The POMS cohort had a significantly higher Epworth score (p < 0.001), PHQ-9 score (p < 0.001), and lower PQL score (p < 0.001) than controls. Non-motor measures were not associated with endocrine status. Free testosterone, cortisol, ACTH, and progesterone were abnormal in children with POMS although there was no association between endocrine status and markers of disease severity or non-motor symptoms of MS.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitorisation in children with recombinant growth hormone treatment.

It is safe to use recombinant growth hormone in children. Studies have shown it to be effective and safe, except for a few side effects in the short and long term after treatment. The present study investigated the presence of hypertension in pediatric patients receiving growth hormone treatment using 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). This study is a single-center, retrospective study. Eighty-four patients aged 5-16 years who received growth hormone treatment for at least 3months, who underwent 24 h ABPM were analyzed. They were compared with 67 patients who had no risk factors for hypertension. In the study, 84 rhGH-treated patients (45.2 % male, 54.8 % female) and 67 healthy control groups (49.3 % male, 50.7 % female) were analyzed. The mean age of the patient group was 10.83±2.85 years and the mean age of the healthy control group was 13.1±2.93 years. The diagnostic classification of the patients receiving treatment was as follows: 66.6 % (n=56) partial growth hormone deficiency, 22.6 % (n=19) growth hormone deficiency, 7.1 % (n=6) bioactive growth hormone, 2.3 % (n=2) idiopathic short stature, 1.1 % (n=1) low birth weight for gestational age (SGA). Body mass index was significantly lower in the treated group (p=0.013). The duration of treatment was 6.04±4.9months. Daytime diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the treated group (p=0.001). There was no correlation between BMI and ABPM parameters in the treatment group and the control group. The present study shows that growth hormone treatment is safe in terms of high blood pressure.

The real-world experience of long acting growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency

The real-world experience of long acting growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency