Cytokine actions in growth disorders associated with pediatric chronic inflammatory diseases (review)

Growth disorders are commonly observed in children suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These disorders range from general growth retardation to local acceleration of growth in the affected limb and are associated with the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this article, we review how cytokines influence child growth by exerting a local effect at the level of the growth plate, and through systemic effects throughout the whole body.