Abstract
Summary: Cortisone acetate, 1.25 mg, was given im to each pup of eight eight-pup litters; saline was given to each pup of eight litters. At 21 days body weight, stem length, and length of long bones was less in the treated animals (P < 0.001). The number of ossification centers was greater in the treated animals (P < 0.05). Brain weight was less in the treated animals (P < 0.001). For 84-day-old animals body weight (P < 0.02) and length of most long bones (P < 0.05) were less in the treated females. Body weight (P < 0.01), stem length (P < 0.01) and some bones (P < 0.02) were smaller in the treated males. There was no difference in the number of epiphyseal fusions. The brains of the treated males weighed less than those of the controls (P < 0.01).
The effect on linear growth is in conformity with observations in children but the accelerated skeletal maturation was unexpected. The effect on skeletal maturation was less persistent than that on bone length.
Speculation: The unexpected acceleration of skeletal maturation found at weaning in rats given corticosteroid treatment in the neonatal period offers at least a partial explanation of persistent stunting because the expected depression of physical growth was found.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sobel, E. Effects of Neonatal Stunting on the Development of Rats: Early and Late Effects of Neonatal Cortisone on Physical Growth and Skeletal Maturation. Pediatr Res 12, 945–947 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197809000-00012
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197809000-00012
