title: Plasma beta-endorphin levels and childhood intussusception.
abstract: To determine whether childhood intestinal intussusception is associated with elevated plasma beta-endorphin levels, a series of patients was studied prospectively. Fourteen patients (age range between 3 months and 7 years) presented to two university pediatric emergency departments in Chicago with clinical symptoms and signs of intussusception. Venous blood (2cc) was withdrawn for plasma beta-endorphin determination, followed by barium enema. Plasma beta-endorphin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The mean beta-endorphin level of the 8 patients with barium enema proven intussusception was 14.1 +/- 12.0 pg/ml. Two of these patients presented with marked lethargy and had beta-endorphin levels of 7.5 and 21.2 pg/ml. The mean plasma beta-endorphin level of the 5 patients with negative barium enema studies was 18.1 +/- 10.0 pg/ml (P = 0.56). A sixth control patient had a plasma beta-endorphin level of 1569 pg/ml. In conclusion, childhood intestinal intussusception is not associated with elevated plasma beta-endorphin levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ros
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bhisitkul
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ionides
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Handa
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin