Abstract
Somatomedin A has been measured in serum by a radioreceptor assay utilizing placental membranes. At birth the concentration is about 40 % of that in the adult. During childhood there is a continuous increase in somatomedin A concentration and adult levels will not be achieved until puberty. In patients with hypopituitarism and Laron's dwarfism the levels were significantly below the normal range but no patient was found to have a complete lack of somatomedin A. In children with immunopathies and stunted growth levels were found around the lower normal border. Following hGH administration serum somatomedin A concentration increased in the hypopituitary but not in the immunopathic patients. Among children with Crohn's disease the values varied considerably and were in some cases far below the normal range. Girls with Turner's syndrome had normal levels in spite of retarded growth rate as had children that were on steroid treatment. In tall girls the levels decreased during oestrogen treatment.
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Svan, H., Hall, K. & Ritzen, M. Serum somatomedin A in healthy children and children with growth disorders. Pediatr Res 12, 153 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197802000-00044
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197802000-00044