Growth hormone status in six children with fetal alcohol syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Prenatal alcohol exposure may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with pre- and postnatal retardation.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hellström
A
A
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Jansson
C
C
Boguszewski
M
M
Olegård
R
R
Laegreid
L
L
Albertsson-Wikland
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone