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Assessment of prolactin secretion in children: a profile of circadian prolactin secretion and the principles for interpreting it
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Abstract
Material and methods: The analysis comprised 41 healthy short children (25 boys); aged 5.2-16.3 years, in whom hormonal disorders and chronic diseases had been excluded. The children were divided into prepubertal or pubertal subgroups. Serum Prl concentrations were measured every 3 hours for 24 hours. To assess the rhythm the parameters of macroscopic analysis were calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. The group for comparison consisted of 30 children aged 8.9-17.2 years with hyperprolactinaemia.
Results: In each subgroup significantly higher Prl concentrations were observed at night than by day. No statistical differences were noticed between the groups regarding Prl concentrations at particular time points or parameter values during circadian Prl rhythm evaluation. In the group analysed weak correlations were found between age and Prl peak and trough levels. On the basis of ROC analysis criteria for the existence of normal circadian Prl rhythm in children were established.
Conclusions:
1. The presence of normal circadian Prl rhythm is observed if at least one of the following three criteria is fulfilled: amplitude >1.8779; Xn/Xd ratio >1.685; regression index <-0.4107.
2. No interpretation in relation to sex, age and stage of puberty is necessary for the circadian prolactin secretion rhythm in children.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 282-290)
Abstract
Material and methods: The analysis comprised 41 healthy short children (25 boys); aged 5.2-16.3 years, in whom hormonal disorders and chronic diseases had been excluded. The children were divided into prepubertal or pubertal subgroups. Serum Prl concentrations were measured every 3 hours for 24 hours. To assess the rhythm the parameters of macroscopic analysis were calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. The group for comparison consisted of 30 children aged 8.9-17.2 years with hyperprolactinaemia.
Results: In each subgroup significantly higher Prl concentrations were observed at night than by day. No statistical differences were noticed between the groups regarding Prl concentrations at particular time points or parameter values during circadian Prl rhythm evaluation. In the group analysed weak correlations were found between age and Prl peak and trough levels. On the basis of ROC analysis criteria for the existence of normal circadian Prl rhythm in children were established.
Conclusions:
1. The presence of normal circadian Prl rhythm is observed if at least one of the following three criteria is fulfilled: amplitude >1.8779; Xn/Xd ratio >1.685; regression index <-0.4107.
2. No interpretation in relation to sex, age and stage of puberty is necessary for the circadian prolactin secretion rhythm in children.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 282-290)
Keywords
prolactin; circadian rhythm; chronobiology; macroscopic analysis; children


Title
Assessment of prolactin secretion in children: a profile of circadian prolactin secretion and the principles for interpreting it
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
282-290
Published online
2007-05-17
Page views
517
Article views/downloads
988
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2007;58(4):282-290.
Keywords
prolactin
circadian rhythm
chronobiology
macroscopic analysis
children
Authors
Renata Stawerska
Joanna Smyczyńska
Maciej Hilczer
Elżbieta Kowalska
Andrzej Lewiński
Michał Karasek