The Growth Hormone Deficiency Short Stature Is the Predominant Type Among Young School Girls in Gaza, Palestine.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the type of short stature (SS) and to survey relationships between estradiol, ghrelin, osteocalcin, insulin, GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, minerals and SS among secondary school girls, Gaza, Palestine. Nonexperimental case control study design was used to collect data from 90 subjects with SS (case group), and 90 subjects with normal stature (control group). After 12 hour fasting, blood samples were collected.There were highly significant reductions in stature, body weight, GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and FSH levels in case girls compared to control.Significant elevations in the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were reported in cases compared to controls. In addition, there was a significant correlation between insulin and height and between IGF-1 and ghrelin in case girls. Ghrelin, osteocalcin, LH, prolactin, progesterone and TSH were not correlated with short stature in young females (15-16y). Growth related hormones could serve as a biomarker in the diagnosis of short stature. Elevations in ALT and ALP without changes in phosphorus suggest liver problem and needs further investigation and attention. Growth hormone deficiency SS is the predominant SS type in Gaza school girls.