We conducted this study to investigate the associations between hematological parameters and obesity in children and adolescents. The levels of hematological parameters (including white blood cells [WBCs], red blood cells [RBCs], hemoglobin [Hb], hematocrit [Hct], and platelets) of 7997 participants (4259 boys and 3738 girls) aged 10–18 years were recorded. The parameters were compared among participants with normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Significantly higher mean levels of WBCs (7.16 vs. 6.16 × 103/mm³, p < 0.001), RBCs (4.90 vs. 4.82 × 106/mm³, p < 0.001), Hb (14.07 vs. 13.99 g/dL, p < 0.05), Hct (42.31 vs. 41.91%, p < 0.001), and platelets (311.87 vs. 282.66 × 103/mm³, p < 0.001) were found in the obese than normal weight group, respectively, after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and sex. BMI SDS had significant positive associations with the levels of WBCs (β = 0.275, p < 0.001), RBCs (β = 0.028, p < 0.001), Hb (β = 0.034, p < 0.001), Hct (β = 0.152, p < 0.001), and platelets (β = 8.372, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic factors in a multiple linear regression analysis. A higher BMI was associated with elevated WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, and platelet counts in children and adolescents. Because higher levels of hematological parameters are potential risk factors for obesity-related diseases, hematological parameters should be evaluated in obese children and adolescents.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by silencing or degrading messenger RNAs. Many of the approximately 2,500 miRNAs discovered in humans are known to regulate vital biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic tissue development. Aberrant miRNA expression may have pathological and malignant consequences. Therefore, miRNAs have emerged as novel diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. Children undergo various stages of growth, development, and maturation between birth and adulthood. It is important to study the role of miRNA expression in normal growth and disease development during these developmental stages. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various pediatric diseases.

This study evaluated the serum level of MKRN3 and investigated its diagnostic usefulness in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). In total, 41 girls with CPP and 35 age-matched normal control girls were enrolled. Serum values of MKRN3 were measured in both groups. Gonadotropin and estradiol concentrations were evaluated after 6 and 12 months of GnRH agonist (GnRHa) treatment in CPP patients. The MKRN3 concentrations were much lower in the patient group than in the control group (p = .005). Over 1 year of GnRHa treatment in patients, the gonadotropin concentrations were significantly decreased (p < .05), while the MKRN3 concentrations were unchanged (p > .05). MKRN3 levels were inversely correlated to standard deviation (SD) in height (r = −0.46, p = .000), SD in weight (r = −0.32, p = .005), Tanner stage (r = −0.41, p = .000), and bone age (r = −0.46, p = .000). Based on ROC analysis, the area under curve was 0.758 for MKRN3, with 82.9% sensitivity and 68.5% specificity. The measurement of serum MKRN3 level may provide some help for CPP prediction, but relatively various values need further validation

MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in gene expression, various biological processes, and development of disease. MiRNAs exhibit distinct expression patterns depending on time points and tissues, indicating their relevance to the development, differentiation, and somatic growth of organisms. MiRNAs are also involved in puberty onset and fertility. Although puberty is a universal stage in the life cycles of most organisms, the precise mechanisms initiating this process remain elusive. Genetic, hormonal, nutritional, environmental, and epigenetic factors are presumed contributors. The intricate regulation of puberty during growth also suggests that miRNAs are involved. This study aims to provide insight into the understanding of miRNAs roles in the initiation of puberty by reviewing the existing research.

Objective: The mechanism underlying postnatal growth failure and catch-up growth in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children is poorly understood. This study investigated the exosomal miRNA signature associated with catch-up growth in SGA children. Methods: In total, 16 SGA and 10 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) children were included. Serum exosomal miRNA was analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Exosomal miRNA was profiled for five SGA children with catch-up growth (SGA-CU), six SGA children without CU growth (SGA-nCU), and five AGA children. Results: Exosomal miRNA profiles were clustered into three clear groups. The exosomal miRNA expression profiles of the SGA-nCU group differed from those of the SGA-CU and AGA groups. In all, 22 miRNAs were differentially expressed between SGA-nCU and AGA, 19 between SGA-nCU and SGA-CU, and only 6 between SGA-CU and AGA. In both SGA-nCU and SGA-CU, miR-874-3p was upregulated and miR-6126 was downregulated. Therefore, these two miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for SGA. Compared with SGA-CU and AGA, miR-30c-5p, miR-363-3p, miR-29a-3p, and miR-29c-3p were upregulated in SGA-nCU, while miR-629-5p and miR-23a-5p were downregulated. These six miRNAs could be associated with growth failure in SGA-nCU children. Conclusions: SGA children without CU have a distinct exosomal miRNA expression profile compared with AGA and SGA children with CU. Exosomal miRNAs could serve as novel biomarkers for CU.

Background: The gold standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test uses the response to intravenously injected gonadorelin to diagnose central precocious puberty (CPP). However, gonadorelin is not always readily available. Objective: This study investigated the diagnostic efficacy of the subcutaneous triptorelin test and the optimal blood sampling time for diagnosis of CPP. Methods: This study retrospectively examined the medical records of 220 girls who had undergone either the triptorelin or gonadorelin test and compared their clinical characteristics. We retrospectively compared clinical parameters between girls diagnosed with CPP (n = 111) and idiopathic premature thelarche (IPT) (n = 109) using three different diagnostic methods: the gonadorelin, triptorelin 120 min, and triptorelin 180 min tests. The diagnostic ability of the stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration in the triptorelin test for CPP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The CPP group exhibited higher basal and peak gonadotropin levels, more advanced bone age, and a lower body mass index standard deviation score than the IPT group. In the gonadorelin test group, all girls with CPP exhibited a peak LH response 30–60 min after intravenous gonadorelin injection. In the triptorelin test group, most girls with CPP exhibited a peak LH response 60–180 min after subcutaneous triptorelin injection (n = 68). On the ROC curve, a peak LH concentration of ≥ 4.52 IU/L at 120 min had the highest CPP diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 95.83%, respectively.