Short Girls Research Articles

Growth Hormone Therapy in a Girl with Turner Syndrome – An Experience from Bangladesh

Turner’s syndrome(TS) is the most common chromosomal disorder affecting female. Genetics show that most of the patients have monosomy 45 XO and the commonest phenotype is short stature. Growth hormone deficiency is uncommon but consensus statements have endorsed GH treatment for short girls with Turner syndrome as it is found to be effective to increase growth. Here, we describe a nine year and eleven month old girl presented with short stature (Ht-124cm - 2.2 SDS). She had epicanthic fold, cutis valgus and there was no sign of puberty. The diagnosis of TS was confirmed by Karyotype which revealed chrosomomal pattern 45X0/46XX. After evaluation, rGH treatment was initiated and the dose was titrated to 9.5 mg/m2 /wk. After 6 months of therapy the height velocity rose to 10.2 cm/ year. Growth hormone treatment was stopped after 2 years and 4 months as parents were not willing to continue the therapy. The final height of the patient was 144 cm (-1.2SD). She developed spontaneous menarche and other features of puberty at the age of 12 years 4 months. In Bangladesh, we do not have much report of TS who achieved growth with GH therapy. Simple and regular measurement of children’s height with chart plotting is necessary to pick up children who have short stature with TS. Girls with TS may be benefited from early diagnosis and initiation of treatment with GH.

Estrogen replacement therapy: effects of starting age on final height of girls with chronic kidney disease and short stature

IntroductionWe investigated the age of starting Estrogen replacement therapy as a key parameter for reaching near normal Final Height (FH) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) girls with growth retardation.MethodThis open label, quasi-experimental designed and matched controlled clinical trial was performed on CKD girls with short stature and later onset of puberty or delayed puberty according to clinical and laboratory investigations. Participants of group 1 and 2 had been treated with Growth Hormone (GH), and Ethinyl Estradiol (EE). EE was administered from 11 and 13 yrs. old in groups 1 and 2 respectively. Group 3 was selected from patients that did not accept to start GH or EE till 15 years old. The effect of the age of starting EE on FH, GH therapy outcomes, bone density, and calcium profile were evaluated.ResultOverall, 16, 22, and 21 patients were analyzed in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Mean Mid-Parental Height (MPH) had no significant difference between the 3 groups. GH therapy significantly enhanced mean FH in groups 1 and 2 in comparison with group 3 (β = − 4.29, p < 0.001). Also, multivariable backward linear regression illustrated significant negative association between FH and age of starting EE (β = 0.26, p < 0.001). Mean Para Thyroid Hormone (PTH), mean femoral and lumbar bone density were significantly enhanced after GH and EE therapy (p value: < 0.001).ConclusionWe recommend starting EE from 11 yrs. old in CKD short stature girls who have no clinical and laboratory sign of sexual maturity at 11 yrs. to enhance the cost effectiveness of GH therapy.

A short girl with learning disability due to Turner mosaicism with a ring X chromosome

The Journal is the primary organ of Continuing Paediatric Medical Education in Sri Lanka. The journal also has a website. Free full text access is available for all readers.The Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health is now indexed in SciVerse Scopus (Source Record ID 19900193609), Index Medicus for South-East Asia Region (IMSEAR), CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International Global Health Database), DOAJ and is available in Google, as well as Google Scholar.The policies of the journal are modelled on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Guidelines on Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health is recognised by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) as a publication following the ICMJE Recommendations.

Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Matrix Metalloproteinases as Markers of Metabolic Status in Non-Growth Hormone-Treated Girls With Turner Syndrome.

BackgroundTurner syndrome (TS) presents a high risk of congenital heart defects and may predispose to both obesity and related metabolic complications. Hence the search for new markers as potential early predictors of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases appears warranted.ObjectiveTo assess MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1), MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2), MMP-9 (matrix metallopeptidase-9), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor), and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) in non-MetS TS girls not treated with growth hormone (GH) vs. healthy short stature girls, and to assess the connection with basic metabolic parameters.MethodThe concentrations of circulating MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, BDNF, GDNF and VEGF were measured in 12 patients with TS not treated with growth hormone. The control group was composed of 17 girls with non-pathologic short stature. The patients’ clinical and biochemical phenotypes were determined by weight, height, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, aminotransferases, IGF1, TSH and fT4.ResultsThere were no differences in mean age, weight, BMI Z-Score, or hSDS between the studied group and the controls; however, they differed in baseline values of ALT (18.2 ± 4.2 vs. 14.2 ± 4.1, p= 0.02), BDNF [29951.5 (26176.9 – 41271.9) vs. 23131.7 (18392.4 – 28313.3), p=0.01] and MMP-2 [91.8 (71.7 – 111.0) vs. 143.6 (123.7 - 244.5), p< 0.001]. BDNF correlated with ALT activity (r = 0.56 p = 0.002) and BMI Z-score (r = 0.38 p = 0.042), while MMP-2 correlated with HDL concentration (r = 0.48 p = 0.029) in all the patients. The analysis of the study group alone revealed significant positive correlations between MMP-9 and TSH (r = 0.74 p = 0.036), BDNF and both ALT (r = 0.73 p = 0.038) and TSH (r = 0.85 p = 0.008), and a negative correlation between MMP-1 and fT4 (r = -0.75 p = 0.032). The control group did not present any significant correlations.ConclusionThe higher concentrations of BDNF and lower of MMP-2 found in girls with TS without MetS compared to healthy girls with short stature, could have a major impact on the future “natural” development of the metabolic status. Our findings need further studies.

Household and schooling rather than diet offset the adverse associations of height with school competence and emotional disturbance among Taiwanese girls.

Short stature may reflect health in early life and be an enduring disability. How birth weight, gender, household, elementary schooling and diet play a role in associations between stature and overall school competence (OSC) have been assessed. The 2001-2002 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) for elementary schoolchildren (n 2274, 52·1 % boys) was linked to birth records. It provided sociodemographic, dietary quality, body compositional and school performance (as Scale for Assessing Emotional Disturbance, SAED; OSC as an SAED subscale) data. Lower birth weight was ≤15th percentile: 2850 g for boys and 2700 g for girls, and stature as z-scores for Taiwanese. Multivariable linear regression was used for relationships between OSC and stature. Trends in OSC by stature and school grade were assessed. The 2001-2002 NAHSIT for elementary schoolchildren. Totally, 2274 schoolchildren aged 6-13 years. Compared to normal height (-2< height for age z-score (HAZ) <2), shorter girls (HAZ ≤ -2) had a lower OSC (8·87 v. 10·5, P < 0·05) and taller girls (HAZ ≥ 2) had a better OSC (12·3 v. 10·5, P < 0·001). Maternal education and household income each contributed more than 5 % of OSC variance. OSC and HAZ among girls were positively associated and emotional disturbance negatively associated. Shortness-associated lower OSC underwent remediation with advancing school grade. Stature and OSC were not evidently related in boys. Shorter stature can compromise OSC among school girls. The major determinants in shorter girls are less household income and limited parental education.

Skeletal disproportion in girls with Turner syndrome and longitudinal change with growth‐promoting therapy

Short stature in Turner syndrome (TS) may be accompanied by skeletal disproportion. This retrospective study investigates growth and disproportion from early childhood to adult height. Data were collected from 59 girls prior to growth hormone (rhGH) treatment and in 30 girls followed up longitudinally. Standard deviation scores (SDS) for height (Ht), sitting height (SH) and sub-ischial leg length (LL) were compared and a disproportion score (SH SDS - LL SDS) calculated. In 59 girls, mean (SD) age 6.6 (2.1) years prior to rhGH treatment, LL SDS of -3.4 (1.1) was significantly lower than SH SDS of -1.2 (0.8) [p<.001]. In girls with Ht SDS < -2.0, disproportion score was > +2.0 in 27 (63%), cf eight (50%) with Ht SDS ≥ -2.0. For the longitudinal analysis, skeletal disproportion prior to rhGH was+2.4 (1.1) and+1.7 (1.0) on rhGH but prior to introduction of oestrogen [p<.001]. Disproportion at adult height was+1.1 (0.8), which was less marked than at the earlier time points [p<.001 for both comparisons]. Change in disproportion SDS over the first two years of rhGH predicted overall change in disproportion from baseline to adult height [R2 51.7%, p<.001]. TS is associated with skeletal disproportion, which is more severe in the shortest girls and present in only half of those with milder degrees of short stature. Growth-promoting therapy may improve disproportion during both the childhood and pubertal phases of growth. Change in disproportion status two years after starting rhGH helps predict disproportion at adult height.

Displasia ossea con scarsa crescita

A case of a short girl affected by multiple familial osteochondrosis (MFO) is described. The Author underlines the need of a strict, long term clinical monitoring in all MFO children and in their affected parents because of a significantly increased risk of malignancy.

SUN-064 Diversity of Endocrine Function in Patients with CHARGE Association

Context: CHARGE association consists of congenital malformation of Coloboma, Heart defect, Atresia choanae, Retarded growth and development, Genital hypoplasia, Ear anomalies and/or deafness. It is often caused by CHD7 gene mutation, which also one of the causative gene for Kallmann syndrome. The endocrine dysfunction in CHARGE association has been reported but not fully understood. Objective: To clarify the mode of growth and frequency of endocrine dysfunction in CHARGE association. Subjective: We investigated the characteristics of growth and puberty, and endocrine function in 23 children (15 males and 8 females, 0~20 years old) with CHARGE association. Results: The birthweight was from -2.74 to +1.14 SDS and the birth length was from -2.86 to +1.10 SDS. 5 children were born small for gestational age. The height below -2SDS in 18 children. GH secretion was evaluated in 11 children with short stature (-9 to -2.3SD) except for one with normal height (-0.3 SD in 6 years old girl); 5 children including one with normal stature were revealed to have GH deficiency. One short girl with GH deficiency previously showed normal GH response to provocation test at 1 year old but has developed to be GH deficient at 7 years old. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone loading tests were performed in 7 males and 3 females. Nine out of 10 children showed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism; one girl showed hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, whose ovaries were undetectable on ultrasound. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) tests were performed in 6 males with micropenis and/or cryptorchidism. Peak testosterone levels after HCG stimulation were from 0 to 6.99 ng/ml. 4 patients showed peak testosterone levels less than 1 ng/ml. Four boys showed combined gonadotropin deficiency and primary hypogonadism. Conclusions: Our data showed the diversity of endocrine function in children with CHARGE association. GH deficiency can be developed over time. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is common, while isolated/combined primary hypogonadism should be taken into consideration in children with CHARGE association.

A short girl with severe scoliosis and osteoporosis

A short girl with severe scoliosis and osteoporosis

Clinical Features of Girls with Turner Syndrome in a Single Centre in Malaysia.

ObjectivesDiagnosis of Turner syndrome in Malaysia is often late. This may be due to a lack of awareness of the wide clinical variability in this condition. In our study, we aim to examine the clinical features of all our Turner patients during the study period and at presentation.MethodologyThis was a cross-sectional study. Thirty-four (34) Turner patients were examined for Turner-specific clinical features. The karyotype, clinical features at presentation, age at diagnosis and physiologic features were retrieved from their medical records.ResultsPatients with 45,X presented at a median age of 1 month old with predominantly lymphoedema and webbed neck. Patients with chromosome mosaicism or structural X abnormalities presented at a median age of 11 years old with a broader clinical spectrum, short stature being the most common presenting clinical feature. Cubitus valgus deformity, nail dysplasia and short 4th/5th metacarpals or metatarsals were common clinical features occurring in 85.3%-94.1% of all Turner patients. Almost all patients aged ≥2 years were short irrespective of karyotype.ConclusionAlthough short stature is a universal finding in Turner patients, it is usually unrecognised till late. Unlike the 45,X karyotype, non-classic Turner syndrome has clinical features which may be subtle and difficult to discern. Our findings underscore the importance of proper serial anthropometric measurements in children. Awareness for the wide spectrum of presenting features and careful examination for Turner specific clinical features is crucial in all short girls to prevent a delay in diagnosis.

The spectrum of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism in Taiwanese children: The experience of a single center.

45,X/46,XY mosaicism is a rare sex chromosome abnormality. Here, we present our experience in the management of 45,X/46,XY Taiwanese children. We enrolled 19 patients from January 1981 to September 2016. The diagnosis of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism was made by karyotyping peripheral blood lymphocytes. All medical records were thoroughly reviewed. Of the 19 patients, 16 were reared as females and 3 as males. The age at diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 15 years and 9 months. Atypical genitalia, short stature, and Turner stigmata were common manifestations. No patient exhibited a cardiac malformation but 29% had renal malformations and 12.5% had autoimmune thyroid disease who developed thyroid dysfunction later. Nine girls with short stature received growth hormone therapy and their height standard deviation score rose from -3.4±1.1 to -1.4±0.9 in adulthood (P<0.01). The gonadal phenotypes included bilateral streak gonads in nine patients, a streak gonad with contralateral gonadal agenesis in one, mixed gonadal dysgenesis in five, bilateral dysgenetic testes in two, and bilateral gonadoblastomas in one. The 45,X/46,XY phenotype varies widely and a high index of suspicion is important to ensure early diagnosis. Cardiac and renal malformations should be screened ultrasonically at diagnosis and thyroid status should be monitored annually. Growth hormone effectively improves adult height in short girls. Prophylactic gonadectomy is indicated for those with intra-abdominal streaks or dysgenetic gonads to prevent the development of a malignancy.

Between Refugee and ‘Normalized’ Citizen: National Narratives of Exclusion in the Novels of Bich Minh Nguyen

This essay traces how novelist Bich Minh Nguyen intertwines questions of identity and national politics in Short Girls (2009) and Pioneer Girl (2014).While Pioneer Girl has received critical attention for its engagement with Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House novels through the eyes of a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, this essay asserts that Short Girls, a meditation on precarity in Midwestern immigrant communities after 9/11, exposes Nguyen’s insistence on the connection between the local and particular and the national and global. Drawing on a framework of critical regionalism, I argue that Nguyen’s novels link her characters’ deeply personal navigation of community and identity as Asian Americans in the Midwest, national myths romanticizing a white pioneer past, and political narratives over who belongs and who should be excluded in the post-9/11 era.

Baseline Characteristics and Gender Differences in Prepubertal Children Treated with Growth Hormone in Europe, USA, and Japan: 25 Years' KIGS® Experience (1987-2012) and Review

Background: Information about disease-specific and gender-associated differences over longer time of short children treated with recombinant human growth hormone is missing. Methods: We analyzed data at growth hormone (GH) start in prepubertal children diagnosed with idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD), congenital GHD, acquired GHD, idiopathic short stature (ISS), and born small for gestational age (SGA) enrolled (1987-2012) in the Pfizer International Growth Study (KIGS®) from Europe, USA, and Japan. Results: The demographic characteristics of patients in the three regions were similar. There was a diagnosis-specific pattern for age and height, and a universal pattern showing that girls were younger and smaller at GH start. There was a predominance of males with IGHD (n = 25,703; 70.1%), congenital GHD (n = 2,860; 63.9%), acquired GHD (n = 3,280; 63.9%), ISS (n = 4,327; 71.4%), and SGA (n = 5,848; 58.0%). Male prevalence in the USA population was more pronounced in IGHD, ISS, and SGA, but less so in congenital and acquired GHD. In IGHD (Europe and Japan) and ISS (Europe), there was a trend toward decreasing male prevalence. Conclusions: The male prevalence in prepubertal children treated with GH varies according to geographical region and is not explained by the underlying diagnoses. A global appreciation of gender biases is required for the proper care of short girls.

David Foster Wallace and the mathematics of infinity

While Wallace’s nonfiction is voraciously eclectic—exploring film, pornography, luxury cruises—the only time that he devoted an entire book of his nonfiction to a single subject was when he completed his 2004 study of Cantorian mathematics. Everything and More’s very uniqueness may make it seem an anomalous subset of Wallace’s output, yet—this essay argues—Wallace often drew upon math as a way address truths that were difficult to reach through language’s looping systems. Though mathematical ideas are present in the short story collections Girl with Curious Hair and Oblivion, and Infinite Jest provides the stage for Wallace’s most systematic use of mathematical concepts, and conformal transformations, in particular, can be located in that novel’s complicated approach to consciousness.

Ovarian morphology and function during growth hormone therapy of short girls born small for gestational age

To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on ovarian and uterine morphology and function in short, prepubertal small-for-gestational-age (SGA) girls. A multinational, randomized controlled trial on safety and efficacy of GH therapy in short, prepubertal children born SGA. Not applicable. A subgroup of 18 Danish girls born SGA included in North European SGA Study (NESGAS). One year of GH treatment (67 μg/kg/day) followed by 2 years of randomized GH treatment (67 μg/kg/day, 35 μg/kg/day, or IGF-I titrated). Data on anthropometrics, reproductive hormones, and ultrasonographic examination of the internal genitalia were collected during 36 months of GH treatment. Uterine and ovarian volume increased significantly during 3 years of treatment (64% and 110%, respectively) but remained low within normal reference ranges. Ovarian follicles became visible in 58% after 1 year compared with 28% before GH therapy. Anti-Müllerian hormone increased significantly during the 3 years of GH therapy but remained within the normal range. Precocious puberty was observed in one girl; another girl developed multicystic ovaries. GH treatment was associated with statistically significant growth of the internal genitalia, but remained within the normal range. As altered pubertal development and ovarian morphology were found in 2 of 18 girls, monitoring of puberty and ovarian function during GH therapy in SGA girls is prudent. Altogether, the findings are reassuring. However, long-term effects of GH treatment on adult reproductive function remain unknown. EudraCT 2005-001507-19.

The impact of height during childhood on the national prevalence rates of overweight.

BackgroundIt is known that height and body mass index (BMI) are correlated in childhood. However, its impact on the (trend of) national prevalence rates of overweight and obesity has never been investigated. The aim of our study is to investigate the relation between height and national prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in childhood between 1980, 1997, and 2009, and to calculate which fixed value of p (2.0,2.1, …,3.0) in kg/mp during childhood is most accurate in predicting adult overweight.Methods and findingsCross-sectional growth data of children from three Dutch nationwide surveys in 1980, 1997, and 2009, and longitudinal data from the Terneuzen Birth Cohort and the Harpenden Growth Study were used. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Our study showed that tall (>1 standard deviation (SD)) girls aged 5.0–13.9 y were more often overweight (RR = 3.5,95%CI:2.8–4.4) and obese (RR = 3.9,95%CI:2.1–7.4) than short girls (<−1 SD). Similar results were found in boys aged 5.0–14.9 y (RR = 4.4,95%CI:3.4–5.7 and RR = 5.3,95%CI:2.6–11.0). No large differences were found in the other age groups and in comparison with children with an average stature. Tall boys aged 2.0–4.9 y had a significantly higher positive trend in overweight between 1980 and 1997 compared to short boys (RR = 4.0,95%CI:1.38–11.9). For other age groups and in girls, no significant trends were found. The optimal Area Under the Curve (AUC) to predict adult overweight was found for p = 2.0.Conclusions and significanceTall girls aged 5.0–13.9y and tall boys aged 5.0–14.9y have much higher prevalence rates of overweight and obesity than their shorter peers. We suggest taking into account the impact of height when evaluating trends and variations of BMI distributions in childhood, and to use BMI to predict adult overweight.

Factors affecting height in children and adolescents with transfusion-dependent Thalassaemia – results from a Thalassaemia center in Malaysia

Thalassaemia, a common inherited haemoglobinopathy in Malaysia1, causes significant morbidity due to chronic anaemia and complications of iron excess from regular blood transfusion. Short stature is one of the commonest complications in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia with prevalence of 31% to 75% 2,3. Causes of growth impairment include iron overload, nutritional deficiency, GH-IGF1 axis dysregulation, abnormal puberty and desferrioxamine toxicity4,5. We aim to determine the prevalence of short stature, defined as height z-score ≤ -2, and the factors affecting height in thalassaemia patients attending the Haematology clinic at a tertiary referral center. This observational cross-sectional study involved patients aged 3-19 years, needing blood transfusion at least every 8 weeks, and without co-morbidities or endocrinopathy which affect growth. Weight & height were measured. Puberty status was clinically assessed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as a marker of nutritional status. Mean of ferritin levels measured over the preceding one year was determined as a marker of iron overload. There were 52 boys (mean age 11.2y ± 4.8y, mean height z-score -1.67 ± 1.11, mean BMI z- score -0.87 ± 1.44, mean ferritin 3316 ± 2092 µg/L) and 47 girls ( mean age 11.8y ± 4.2y, mean height z-score -1.59 ± 0.97 , mean BMI z-score -0.83 ± 0.95, mean ferritin 3005 ± 2356 µg/L). Overall 35/99 (35%) were short while 64/99 (64%) had normal height. 19/52 (37%) boys and 16/47 (34%) girls were short. 16/19 (84%) short boys were aged ≥ 9 years, 15/16 (94%) short girls were aged ≥ 8 years. Only one boy (aged 15y) and one girl (aged 14y) had delayed puberty. They were both short with height z-score -3.41 and -2.26 respectively. Overall there was a moderate positive correlation between height z-score and BMI z- score (Pearson r = 0.388, p=0.00). There was no significant correlation between height z score and mean ferritin level (Pearson r = -0.044, p= 0.666). Significant proportion (35%) of our transfusion-dependent thalassaemia patients have short stature, majority of them in the pubertal age group. Height is significantly associated with nutritional status but not ferritin level. Improvement in nutrition may improve height in these patients.

Application of Body Mass Index According to Height-Age in Short and Tall Children

BackgroundIn children with either delayed or accelerated growth, expressing the body mass index (BMI) to chronological age might lead to invalid body composition estimates. Reference to height-age has been suggested for such populations; however its validity has not been demonstrated.MethodsAnthropometric data of healthy children were obtained from the German KiGGS survey. We selected three samples with different height distributions representing short stature (mean height SDS: -1.6), normal stature (height SDS: 0), and tall stature (height SDS: +1.6), and compared BMI-for-age and BMI-for-height-age between these samples across the paediatric age range. Differences between samples were tested using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and permutation tests.ResultsAt a given age, BMI was distributed towards lower values in short, and towards higher values in tall subjects as compared to a population with average height distribution. Expressing BMI to height-age eliminated these differences in boys with a short stature from 4 years to 14 years of age, in tall boys from 4 to 16 years, in short girls aged 2-10 years or tall girls aged 2-17 years.ConclusionFrom late infancy to adolescent age, BMI distribution co-varies with height distribution and referencing to height-age appears appropriate within this age period. However, caution is needed when data about pubertal status are absent.

Training load construction on short distance young girl’s runners – pupils of the 4th year educational and training groups of sport school in the big cycle of preparation

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Influence of micronutrient status and socioeconomic gradient on growth indices of 2–18-year-old Indian girls

Micronutrient deficiencies are common consequences of the plant-based diet in children from developing countries which may affect their linear and ponderal growth. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between micronutrient status and growth indices in Indian girls. In cross-sectional studies (2006-2010), data on weight, height and diet were collected on 1302 girls (2-18 years) from Pune city, India. Fasting hemoglobin was measured on 1118 girls and serum zinc was measured on 695 girls. Height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and body mass index for age Z-score (BMIZ) were computed using contemporary Indian references. HAZ >-1 was observed in 54% girls, and 18.1% were short (HAZ <-2). BMIZ was within the reference range (-2<BMIZ<2) in majority (82.4%) of the girls. Average HAZ and BMIZ were significantly higher in higher socioeconomic (HSE) than in middle (MSE) and lower (LSE) socioeconomic groups (p<0.05). Girls in all age groups had calcium, zinc, iron and vitamin intakes of <50% of Indian recommended dietary intakes. Mean nutrient intakes were significantly higher in HSE than in MSE and LSE girls (p<0.05). Girls with short stature (HAZ <-2) had significantly lower intakes of calcium, zinc, iron, β-carotene, riboflavin, niacin, folate and ascorbic acid (p<0.05). Higher levels of serum zinc and hemoglobin were observed in girls with HAZ >-1 than in short girls even after adjusting for socioeconomic status (SES). The mean serum zinc level of thin girls (BMIZ <-2) was significantly lower than those of both normal and overweight girls after adjusting for SES. Micronutrient sufficiency is of paramount importance for adequate growth in Indian girls.