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Sleep-wake differences in serum prolactin levels in children

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Abstract

Sleep-wake differences in prolactin serum levels have been studied in 47 prepubertal children of both sexes, aged 1 to 12 years. Sampling has been made in each subject once during wake and once during sleep. The serum levels of prolactin were found to be higher during sleep than during wake (p >0.01). When the children were divided into age groups, a statistically significant difference between wake and sleep was observed in all groups considered, including that with children aged 1 to 2 years. This indicates that the sleep connected rise of prolactin levels occurs very early in childhood. No sex related difference either in absolute hormone serum levels or in wake-sleep changes is apparent.

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Polleri, A., Masturzo, P., Vignola, G. et al. Sleep-wake differences in serum prolactin levels in children. J Endocrinol Invest 1, 347–350 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03350980

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