[Selected markers of bone metabolism in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty].

The aim of the study was to determine serum concentration and urinary excretion of selected parameters of bone metabolism in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) in the relation to pubertal stages. The study group consisted of 41 boys (aged 8 to 18 yrs) with CDGP. Patients were divided on the basis of Tanner's criteria into 4 groups according to the pubertal stage. Serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and serum osteocalcin (OC) concentration as markers of bone growth, as well as urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) as a marker of bone resorption were determined. Serum AP activity in 31 (75.6%) boys was within normal age range. Mean values of serum AP activity increased insignificantly from I to IV stage of puberty. Serum OC concentrations were normal in 33 (80.5%) patients. Eight (19.5%) boys showed decreased values of serum OC concentration. Mean OC concentration insignificantly increased with the pubertal stages. DPD urinary excretion was within normal age range in all patients and was the highest in stage III of pubertal stage. No significant abnormalities of bone metabolism parameters in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty were found.