ESPE Abstracts

Background: We analyzed characteristics of patients with stunting admitted at Endocrinology Department of Muratsan University Medical Settings, the only specialized center in Armenia. No similar study was carried out in this region.

Objective and hypotheses: Patients (n=102) were evaluated prospectively.

Method: The following parameters were used for statistical analysis- demographic information, diagnosis, anthropometric data of children and their parents with consideration of SDS, gestation and birth history, bone age, retardation bone age, hormones, IGF1, IGFBP3, atherogenic risk, history of MRI, and, etc.

Results: The mean age of children was 9.2±3.62 years (3–17); 66 (64.7%) were boys, mean SDS height was −3.4±1.1; the following cases were identified− 28.57% idiopathic short stature (ISS), 16.40% with GH deficiency, 15.34% primary hypothyroidism, 14.29% constitutional delay of growth and puberty, 10.58% genetically determining stunting, 8.99% systemic bone disease, 3.70% intrauterine growth delay, and 2. 12% somatogenically conditioned stunting. ISS and GH deficiency were more frequently seen in boys (4:1 and 3:1 respectively). In GH deficiency group there were strong correlation between low GH and low IGF1, IGFBP3 levels (P=0.000). 77.42% of these patients had combined dyslipidemia. Hypo- and dyslipidemia were frequently identified in ISS group (28%). Among 22.2% (n=12) ISS patients we observed, other patients’ 77.8% (n=42) IGF1 levels corresponded to the norm. IGFPB3 levels in ISS patients 16.7% (n=42) were also lower. We did not find any correlation between the maximal concentration of GH and IGF1 in ISS patients (r=−0.02; P=0.148).

Conclusion: Blood lipid control is very important for patients with GH deficiency and ISS. We recommend the development of national registry and common guidelines in Armenia which can help practitioners easily identify the cases of stunting and accompanying risk factors.