Genetic Study of Neuropeptide W Gene Expression in Children with Short Stature

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of pediatrics - Faculty of Medicine - Menoufia University

2 Department of pediatrics - Menoufia University - Faculty of Medicine

10.21608/ejhm.2025.418340.1828

Abstract

Background: Short stature in children is a multifactorial condition with both environmental and genetic determinants. Neuropeptide W (NPW) is a bioactive peptide that plays a role in neuroendocrine regulation and growth hormone secretion.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the role of NPW gene expression in the pathogenesis of short stature in children.
Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 children with short stature (aged 2–18 years) attending the Pediatric Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic, Menoufia University Hospitals, and 80 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched controls. All participants underwent detailed history taking, anthropometric measurements, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations, including genetic mRNA expression analysis of NPW.
Results: A highly significant increase in NPW mRNA expression was observed in patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), with a 1.022-fold elevation in patients. No significant association was found between NPW expression levels and demographic variables such as sex or age. Conclusion: NPW gene overexpression may contribute to the development of short stature, possibly through modulation of the growth hormone axis. Further research was needed to confirm these findings and explore potential therapeutic implications.

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The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine
Volume 100, Issue 1
July 2025
Pages 4110-4112

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