Assessment of Preptin peptide level in the sera of rachitic children and in breast milk of their mothers

BACKGROUND: Preptin is a 34-residue pancreatic hormone that stimulates osteoblast proliferation and reduces osteoblast apoptosis. RESEARCH AIMS: To measure levels of serum Preptin in rachitic children and in breastmilk of their mothers and to compare with levels in healthy non-rachitic children. METHODS: Thirty children with rickets and another 30 non-rachitic age and sex matched controls were subjected to detailed history, physical examination including anthropometric measurements, assessment of signs of rickets and laboratory measurement of serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and Preptin. Mothers’ breast milk Preptin were also measured. RESULTS: Significantly lower serum Preptin (p < 0.001) in rachitic children with a significant negative correlation between serum Preptin and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.0001). Lower breastmilk Preptin levels in mothers of rachitic children (P < 0.001) with a negative correlation between breastmilk Preptin and both maternal weight and BMI(P < 0.01&P < 0.02). Mothers’ milk Preptin is positively correlated with serum Preptin and calcium in non-rachitic children(P < 0.001&0.04), but negatively correlated with their mothers’ age (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preptin may play a role in the etiology of rickets in children. Further studies are recommended to evaluate Preptin role in treatment of rickets in children.