The Relationship Between Salivary Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) Levels and Skeletal Maturation Parameters Before and During Pubertal Growth Spurt in Children

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the skeletal maturation by using salivary DHEAS levels and its correlation with existing skeletal maturity parameters represented by cervical vertebrae and MP3 region radiographs in adolescents in pre-pubertal and pubertal age groups. Methods: In this study, 80 children in the age range of 8 - 14 years were divided into two equal groups based on their chronological age as group I (pre-pubertal group) and group II (pubertal group). Pre-existing lateral cephalograms and medial phalanx of third finger (MP3) radiographs of their left hands were assessed. The levels of the DHEAS of each individual were analysed by ELISA kit. ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test and student t-test were used for statistical analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean level of DHEAS values shown in the present study was 4.36 +/- 0.32 ng/mL in group I and 5.73+/-0.39 ng/mL in group II. This study showed that in group I, more subjects were in stage 1 of cervical vertebral maturation than stage 2 and there were significant differences between the two stages (P-value = 0.011); also, in group II, more subjects were in stage 3 than 4 and there were significant differences between the two stages (P-value = 0.017). This study revealed the highest salivary DHEAS levels to be in the F stage of pre-pubertal MP3 development in addition to the H stage of MP3 development in pubertal children. This study noted that there were significant differences for salivary DHEAS levels between males and females not only in pre-pubertal (P-value = 0.031), but also in pubertal stages (P-value < 0.001). Conclusions: Salivary DHEAS, like cervical vertebra and MP3 radiographs, can be used for growth assessment in young adolescents.