What are the most vigorous secretion points of growth hormone in children

The peak of growth hormone secretion in children usually occurs during deep sleep at night, especially from 10 pm to 2 am. The secretion pattern of growth hormone is mainly influenced by sleep cycle, age stage, nutritional status, exercise stimulation, and disease factors.

1. Sleep cycle:

The deep sleep period is a critical period for the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone, reaching its peak 1-4 hours after falling asleep. Poor sleep quality or staying up late can significantly inhibit hormone secretion. It is recommended that school-age children fall asleep before 9 pm to ensure that they enter a deep sleep state during the peak secretion period.

2. Age stage:

The daily secretion of children before puberty is about 0.7-3mg, which can increase to 5-10mg during puberty. The nighttime secretion of 3-7 year old children accounts for 50% of the whole day, and the nighttime secretion ratio of 8-15 year old adolescents increases to 70%, showing rhythmic characteristics that match their growth and development needs.

3. Nutritional status:

Growth hormone levels are higher on an empty stomach, and high sugar diets should be avoided 2 hours before bedtime. insufficient protein intake can affect hormone synthesis. It is recommended to include high-quality protein such as fish and eggs in dinner, but it should be separated from sleep time by at least 1.5 hours.

4. Exercise stimulation: After high-intensity exercise, there will be a small peak of secretion 30-60 minutes later. Vertical exercises such as skipping rope and basketball from 4-6 pm in the afternoon can coordinate with nighttime secretion. However, vigorous exercise should be avoided three hours before bedtime to avoid affecting the time to fall asleep.

5. Disease factors:

Pathological conditions such as pituitary dysfunction and chronic kidney disease can lead to abnormal secretion. If a child's annual growth rate is less than 4 centimeters or their height is below the 3rd percentile of the same age standard, the actual secretion level needs to be tested through a growth hormone stimulation test.

Optimizing children's growth hormone secretion requires establishing a regular sleep schedule, ensuring 8-10 hours of continuous sleep every day, and maintaining a dark environment in the bedroom to promote melatonin secretion. Pay attention to the balance of calcium and phosphorus in diet, and supplement 400IU of vitamin D daily. Regularly monitor the height and weight curve. For children with growth retardation, it is recommended to undergo bone age assessment in the pediatric endocrinology department. Avoid using caffeinated foods and do 15 minutes of stretching exercises before bedtime to help enter deep sleep. When there is insufficient sunlight in winter, it is advisable to increase the intake of dairy products and deep-sea fish appropriately.