Evaluation of Some Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Serum of Children with Short Stature

Abstract

Background:  Short stature (SS) is defined as an individual's height being below by more than twice the standard deviation (SD) of the average height of a given sex and age or the height is less than the third percentile of his or her peers.

Methods: Serum growth hormone (GH) , growth hormone stimulating test (GHST), tissue transglutaminase – IgA ) tTG-IgA)  , tTG-IgG, Anti-Gliadin Antibody-IgA (AGA-IgA), and AGA-IgG concentrations were assayed by sandwich ELISA technique, also hemoglobin ( Hb), percentage of packed blood cell volume (PCV%) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cells  (WBC) count were estimated in 30 healthy children as a control group and 60 patients with  short stature, age range (5 - 14) years.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate some biochemical and hematological parameters to determine the extent to which the parameters are affected by this disease, which reflect function imbalance of the relevant organs, and to use it as a diagnostic tool that helps in the early treatment and follow-up of the disease.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease (p≤ 0.01), with percentages (26.6) % in GHST and a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) by (15.7) % in WBC count, while a significant increase (p≤ 0.05) by (540) % in AGA-IgG in patients with short stature compared to healthy children. GH, tTG-IgG, AGA-IgA, Hb, PCV% and ESR did not show significant differences. Gender and age did not show a clear effect on most of studied parameters.

Conclusions:  It appears that, determination of GHST and AGA-IgG in children with short stature is a potentially useful marker in the management of this disease.