Plasma Growth Hormone Response to Synthetic GH-RH1-44 in 52 Children and Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency of Various Etiologies

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Fifty-two patients (42 children and 10 adults) with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), grouped into 4 diagnostic categories and 6 children with constitutional short stature (controls) were tested for plasma GH [growth hormone] response to synthetic GH-RH1-44 [growth hormone-releasing hormone 1-44] given in an i.v. bolus. The response was classified into 3 degrees according to the magnitude of the maximal rise: good, > 9 ng/ml; partial, 3.1-9.0 ng/ml; none, .ltoreq. 3 ng/ml. Among the GHD patients the highest response was observed in patients with partial growth hormone deficiency (PGHD); and 60% of the children with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) showed an increase in plasma GH levels. The response of the GHD patients was lower than that in the control group. In children and adolescents with PGHD and IGHD the response was not age related. Among those with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies-idiopathic (MPHD-ID) there was no response in the adolescents although a hypothalamic disorder had been documented by other tests. Among those with MPHD-organic (MPHD-ORG) the GH-RH stimulated GH secretion in the patients with glioma, who had received only irradiation treatment and in the youngest of the patients wtih craniopharyngioma. Of the 10 young adults tested none showed a good response. GH-RH is useful in differentiating between GH deficiency of hypothalamic origin and that of pituitary origin and in selecting those patients who might benefit from long-term treatment with GH-RH in the future.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: