Using Gene Expression Data for the Diagnosis of Childhood GHD [V1]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using Gene Expression Data for the Diagnosis of Childhood Growth Hormone Deficiency
IRAS ID
231325
Contact name
Philip Murray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
To make a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in childhood currently requires the use of growth hormone stimulation tests. These tests involve the child fasting, having a drip inserted into a vein, a medication is given via the drip and multiple blood samples are taken over the next 2-3 hours. The medication given as part of the test has side effects such as nausea and vomiting. For children who have had many medical procedures in the past siting the drip and getting the multiple blood tests can be difficult.
Our previous work has identified that we can use a single blood sample and measure gene expression levels (the activity of the genes) in the blood as an alternative way of diagnosing growth hormone deficiency. A test based on a single blood sample without the need to administer medication via a drip would be much better for patients. To date we have shown that we can use this gene expression test to distinguish short children with GHD from normal healthy children who were not short. In medical practice the test must be able to differentiate short children with growth hormone deficiency from short children without growth hormone deficiency.
This study will recruit children with short stature who are attending the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for a growth hormone stimulation test. As part of their routine clinical care a drip (intravenous cannula) will be inserted and blood samples will be taken from this drip. For study participants an additional 10 mL of blood will be taken at the same time as the routine clinical bloods are collected. This extra blood sample will be used to analyse the gene expression. Data will be collected from the participants medical records and on the results of their GH stimulation test. Sample collection will last one year.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0226
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion