Evaluation of Growth Status Using Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in Children with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

Bae,  Jae Wook; Kwak,  Byung Ok; Chung,  Sochung

doi:2011.16.1.31

Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab > Volume 16(1); 2011 > Article

Original Article

Journal of Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology 2011;16(1): 31-37.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6065/jkspe.2011.16.1.31

Evaluation of Growth Status Using Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in Children with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

Jae Wook Bae, Byung Ok Kwak, Sochung Chung

Department of Pediatrics, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. scchung@kuh.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate growth status using the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations in children with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). METHODS: The study included 93 SCH patients (33 males and 60 females, age 8.1+/-1.9 years) and 94 healthy control subjects (31 males and 63 females, age 8.0+/-0.7 years). Patients' height and weight were measured, and their body mass index (BMI) and Z-scores were calculated. The relationship between growth parameters, including IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations and thyroid functions (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine 4 (fT4) was explored.
RESULTS
Although weight and BMI were greater in SCH patients, the Z-score of height, weight and BMI, and serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in SCH children were not significantly different compared to the control. In SCH patients, TSH showed a negative correlation with weight Z-scores (r=-0.23, P=0.028) and BMI Z-scores (r=-0.21, P=0.048). FT4 showed a positive correlation with IGFBP-3.
CONCLUSION
The positive correlation of fT4 and IGFBP-3 and the negative relationship between TSH and weight and BMI Z-scores in SCH children suggest that subnormal thyroid functions could be related to growth impairment.

Keywords: Hypothyroidism;Growth;Child