Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2013 Dec;18(4):191-195. 10.6065/apem.2013.18.4.191.

The difference in serum alkaline phosphatase levels between girls with precocious puberty and those with normal puberty

• Jwa HJ
• Yang SI
• Lim HH

• KMID: 2266354
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2013.18.4.191

Abstract

PURPOSE
Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level is the most valid marker of bone formation. Precocious puberty (PP) in girls is characterized by early growth acceleration. The aim of this study was to determine whether serum ALP levels differ between girls with PP and those with normal puberty, and whether ALP level varies with age or Tanner stage.
METHODS
This retrospective study included girls with PP (n=61) and normal puberty (n=71) who visited the outpatient clinic at Department of Pediatrics, Chungnam National University Hospital from March 2010 to August 2011. We obtained age, height, parental height, weight, bone age, Tanner stage, and concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicular-stimulating hormone, estradiol, ALP, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) from the participants' medical records.
RESULTS
Age and predicted adult height were significantly lower in girls with PP than in those with normal puberty. The height standard deviation score (SDS), weight SDS, body mass index, midparental height, bone age, and IGF-1 level were higher in girls with PP than in those with normal puberty. ALP level was significantly higher in 5- to 8-year-old girls with PP than in age-matched girls with normal puberty. The mean ALP levels were higher in girls with PP than bone age-matched girls with normal puberty (P=0.0003)
CONCLUSION
Serum ALP level showed the significance differences between girls with PP and those with normal puberty. The reasons for and the mechanisms underlying this elevation in serum ALP level in girls with PP should be investigated further.

Keyword

Precocious puberty; Serum alkaline phosphatase; Bone

MeSH Terms

Acceleration
Adolescent
Adult
Alkaline Phosphatase*
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Body Mass Index
Child
Estradiol
Female*
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Luteinizing Hormone
Medical Records
Osteogenesis
Parents
Pediatrics
Puberty*
Puberty, Precocious*
Retrospective Studies
Alkaline Phosphatase
Estradiol
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Luteinizing Hormone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level according to age. The serum ALP levels were higher in girls with precocious puberty (PP) than in girls of the same age with normal puberty (non-PP). The data are expressed as mean values.*Indicates significant differences (P<0.05).

• 

  Fig. 2 Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level adjusted by bone age. The total serum ALP levels were higher in girls with precocious puberty (PP) than in girls with bone age-matched normal puberty (non-PP) (P=0.0003).

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