**8. Changes in the content of GH and IGF-1 in the blood plasma of children after LT**

To assess the effect of LT on the levels of the studied hormones in the early and late post-transplant period, the levels in the recipients were measured 1 month and 1 year after the transplantation.

Significant changes in the plasma GH levels were found in the children before, a month and a year after liver transplantation (**Figure 14**).

GH level 1 month after LT was 1.4 (1.1–2.4) ng/ml. It was significantly lower before the operation (*p* = 0.001), but did not differ from the hormone level in healthy children (*p* = 0.74).

A year after transplantation, the GH level was 2.5 (1.5–5.7) ng/ml, which was also significantly lower than before transplantation (p = 0.049) and did not differ from the healthy children's level (*p* = 0.67).

The change in IGF-1 concentrations in the children a month and a year after liver fragment transplantation is shown in **Figure 15**.

In the blood plasma of the pediatric recipients, there was a significant increase in IGF-1 levels compared with the values before transplantation. One month later, the IGF-1 concentration was 73.5 (52.1–128.5) ng/ml (*p* = 0.000 compared with the concentration before transplantation). One year after transplantation, plasma IGF-1 level was 76.1 (42.9–111.7) ng/ml and was also significantly higher than before liver transplantation (*p* = 0.000 compared with the level before transplantation) and did not differ from the level in healthy children (*p* = 0.48).

A comparative analysis of changes in levels of the hormones in the pediatric recipients before and after LT depending on the gender of the patient was carried out. It was revealed that GH concentrations significantly differ among girls and boys after LT (**Figure 16**).

#### **Figure 14.**

*The level of GH in the blood of children after LT. \* – p < 0.05 in comparison with the level before LT.*

#### **Figure 15.**

*The level of IGF-1 in the blood of children after LT, \* - p < 0.05 in comparison with the level before LT.*

The analysis showed that plasma GH concentrations in girls and boys did not differ before LT - 4.7 (1.7–7.1) ng/ml and 3.4 (1.6–7.2) ng/ml, respectively, *p* = 0.41, and a month after - 1.4 (1.1–2.5) ng/ml and 1.6 (1.2–2.4) ng/ml, respectively, *p* = 0.8. *Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 in Children with Cholestatic Diseases… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108301*

**Figure 16.** *The content of GH in the blood of children after LT, depending on gender, \* - p < 0.05.*

**Figure 17.**

*The content of IGF-1 in the blood of children after LT, depending on gender, \* - p < 0.05.*

Whereas a year after transplantation, the levels in girls were significantly higher than those in boys—4.6 (2.1–5.9) ng/ml and 1.8 (1.2–2.8) ng/ml, respectively, *p* = 0.002. It is difficult to assess the reasons for the differences in GH levels after LT in boys and girls in the study sample, because for healthy children under 6 years of age, according to the reference values, differences in GH levels between the sexes are insignificant. However, given the sex differences in GH hormonal regulation in later

puberty, it cannot be ruled out that periods of differences between boys and girls can be observed in young children. Prescription of immunosuppressants after LT can also affect the result.

After LT, IGF-1 levels increased in both girls and boys equally (**Figure 17**).

There were no differences in IGF-1 levels in the children depending on gender, as before transplantation: IGF-1 levels in girls and boys were 3.9 (0.0–23.5) ng/ml and 11.1 (0.0–33.6) ng/ml, respectively, *p* = 0.38, and a month after it - 74.2 (54.0–150.3) ng/ml and 70.4 (50.6–119.5) ng/ml, respectively, *p* = 0.37. A year after the operation, the IGF-1 level in girls did not significantly differ from that of boys—83.1 (43.0– 118.9) ng/ml and 70.1 (42.9–108.4) ng/ml, respectively, *p* = 0.68.
