Summary
Measurement of human pancreatic polypeptide may be useful for assessment of gastrointestinal
function, integrity of the parasympathetic nervous system or screening for endocrine
neoplasia. In adults hPP levels have been reported to increase with age. However hPP
levels throughout childhood have not been well characterized in comparison with the
adult range.
We studied fasting human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) from 45 pediatric patients,
from infancy - 15 years, and 18 older adolescents and adults aged 16-45 years. The
mean hPP level of children (233 ± 147 pg/ml) was significantly higher than that (113
± 35 pg/ml) of adults (P < .0001). There was no difference in mean hPP levels of children
with normal growth hormone secretion compared to growth hormone deficient patients.
There was no effect of gender or body mass index on hPP levels.
We conclude that fasting hPP levels must be interpreted with respect to the age of
the subject, children particularly, in that preteens may have higher fasting levels
than older teenagers and adults.
Key words
Pancreatic Polypeptide - Growth Hormone - Children - Infants
