RESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The expression of the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) gene has been detected in the growth cartilage of the long bones and vertebrae. This article provides an overview of the role of CNP in bone growth and presents the results of the authors' research on the concentration of the NTproCNP and its relationship with growth velocity and bone markers in healthy school-age children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 75 girls and 59 boys aged from 9.0-11.8 years (mean 10.29±0.74). Body weight, height and lower limb length were measured, and blood samples were collected twice at six-month intervals. In the first serum sample, the concentrations of NTproCNP, C-terminal propeptide type I (CICP), C-terminal telopeptide type I collagen (ICTP) osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were determined. In the second sample, NTproCNP concentration was assessed. RESULTS: During the six-month follow-up period, the increase in body height and weight of girls was greater than boys (p<0.000; p=0.003, respectively). While during the first examination the concentration of NTproCNP in girls and boys was similar, during the second examination it was higher in girls than in boys (p=0.04). Weak positive correlations between the increase in body height and NTproCNP, CICP, BAP as well as OC were found. There were no correlations between NTproCNP and the bone markers. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that NTproCNP concentration depends on growth velocity in children. There is increasing evidence that a better knowledge of CNP biology contributes to a better understanding of bone growth mechanisms.
Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Ósseo , Peptídeo Natriurético Tipo C , Fosfatase Alcalina/genética , Fosfatase Alcalina/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Estatura , Criança , Colágeno Tipo I , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Peptídeo Natriurético Tipo C/genética , Peptídeo Natriurético Tipo C/metabolismo , Osteocalcina/genética , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
Bloody nipple discharge in an infant is a distressing finding both for parents and the pediatrician who consults the baby. In adults the bleeding can be associated with breast carcinoma, especially when it is unilateral. In infants breast carcinoma are extremely rare. Usually, the bleeding is a benign process, but that does not mean that the children with this symptom should not be diagnosed and controlled. This paper reports a 3,5-month-old boy with bilateral bloody nipple discharge. Additionally, it presents previously described cases of bleeding from the nipples in children and proposed diagnostic approach.
