Nutrition and Growth
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology - Year 2009, Vol 1, Issue 4
Abstract
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in determining the growth of individuals. An appropriate growth progression is considered a harbinger of adequate nutrient intake and good health. On the other hand growth deceleration with or without short stature may indicate inadequate nutrition, even when there is no body weight deficit for height. Nutritional growth retardation (NGR) is most prevalent in populations at risk of poverty. However in affluent communities patients with NGR are often referred to the specialist because of short stature and delayed sexual development. The diagnosis may be overlooked and/or be established after exhaustive evaluations, if the pattern of weight progression over time is not considered. Patients with so-called idiopathic short stature may present diminished nutrient intake and decreased IGF-I levels, however their nutritional status and body weight progression patterns are usually not addressed by pediatric endocrinologists. NGR patients may cease to gain appropriate weight and fail to grow in height, even without exhibiting body weight deficits for height. They adapt to decreased nutrient intake by decreasing growth progression and thereby achieve equilibrium by decreasing the nutrient demands. This occurs by diminishing their metabolic rates and erythrocyte Na+, K+- ATPase activity, however they may not present alterations in other clinical biochemical markers of malnutrition. Therefore accurate weights and heights plotted on the growth chart over time are necessary to detect NGR. Nutritional rehabilitation is accompanied with catch up growth, though it may be difficult to change the dietary habits of adolescents who exhibit NGR. DOI: 10.4008/jcrpe.v1i4.39
Authors and Affiliations
Fima Lifshitz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP123890
- DOI -
- Views 95
- Downloads 0
Physiology of Growth Hormone Secretion
Growth hormone (GH) is secreted in a pulsatile fashion from the anterior pituitary gland. The synthesis and the secretion of GH are regulated mainly by two hypothalamic neuropeptides, the growth hormone-releasing hormone...
Foreword
In presenting this first issue of the Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology (JCRPE), we renew our hopes that in due time this journal will establish its place in the international arena of Pediatric End...
Weismann-Netter-Stuhl Syndrome:A family report <br />
Weismann-Netter-Stuhl (WNS) syndrome is a rare skeletal anomaly that affects the diaphyseal part of both the tibiae and fibulae with posterior cortical thickening and anteroposterior bowing. This anomaly is usually bilat...
Neonatal Sludge: A finding of congenital hypothyroidism
Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most urgent diseases of the neonate. When diagnosed and treated at an early stage, its most important complication, mental retardation, is preventable. The signs of congenital hypo...
CYP21A2 Gene Mutations in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Genotype-phenotype correlation in Turkish children
Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is a common autosomal recessive disorder. It is caused by defects in the CYP21A2 gene. Objective: Our aim was to determine the freq...