A Clinical Study on the Treatment of Children's Short Stature with Auxiliary Comprehensive Management Combined with Growth Patch

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effect of auxiliary comprehensive management combined with growth patch in the treatment of childhood idiopathic short stature (ISS).

METHODS

From September 2017 to December 2019, 120 children with ISS who met the selection criteria were collected. Random number table method divided them into 2 groups: one group was given auxiliary comprehensive management and recorded as the routine group (n = 60), and the other group was given auxiliary comprehensive management and combined growth patch treatment and recorded as the combination group (n = 60). The course of treatment was 12 months. The effects of the two methods on children's height, bone age, body weight, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 levels were compared.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference between the two groups in baseline height, genetic height, baseline bone age, baseline body weight, and body weight before and after treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the heights of the two groups were higher than before for the same group, the height growth values and predicted adult height of the combination group were higher than those of the routine group, and the predicted adult height of the combination group was higher than the genetic height of the same group (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels before treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). The levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 after treatment in the two groups were higher than those in the same group before treatment, and the combination group was higher than that in the routine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

On the basis of auxiliary comprehensive management, combined with growth patch for the treatment of children with ISS, it can effectively increase the height of the children, improve the levels of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3, and have significant clinical effects, which is beneficial to the healthy growth of the children.

Serum and dietary zinc and copper in Iranian girls

OBJECTIVE

Girls with micronutrient deficiencies may have impaired growth and development, and furthermore this may also impact on their childbearing. We have investigated the relationship between serum zinc and copper concentrations, dietary zinc and copper intake and anthropometric and demographic parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors, in 408 girls living in northeastern Iran.

METHODS

A total of 408 healthy girls, aged 12-18 years old, were included in our study. Serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption (Varian AA240FS) and zinc and copper intake were assessed using a 3-day dietary record.

RESULTS

There was a weak correlation between serum and dietary zinc intake (r = 0.117, p = 0.018). The correlation between serum and dietary copper approached significance (r = -0.094, p = 0.056). The mean serum zinc and copper concentrations were 14.61 ± 2.71 μmol/L and 19.48 ± 8.01 μmol/L respectively. Height, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were positively correlated with serum copper concentration. Subjects with high serum copper concentrations (>24 μmol/L) were found to have a significantly higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) compared to subjects with normal, or low serum copper concentrations (p = 0.033). Girls who were in the 5th percentile or greater for height were found to have higher serum copper concentrations than girls in other height categories.

CONCLUSION

There was a weak relationship between dietary and serum concentrations of zinc. Copper status was associated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including FBG and lipid profile. Further studies are required to define the role of copper in metabolic health.