Growth Hormone Secretion and Response to Growth Hormone Therapy after Treatment for Brain Tumour

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Abstract
Children irradiated for brain tumours constitute an increasing group of patients who will require GH therapy. High-dose cranial irradiation is necessary for cure, but inevitably causes GH deficiency within a few years. In 19 patients investigated between 2 and 9 years after irradiation, the spontaneous 24-hour GH secretion was markedly reduced. The secretory pattern indicated loss of regulating hypothalamic hormones. After exogenous GHRH was administered, the pituitary was able to respond with a prompt GH release, showing that pituitary function was unaffected. Ten prepubertal children growing at 3.8 +/- 0.3 cm/year were treated with GH, 0.1 IU/kg/day s.c. Their growth rate increased to 8.2 +/- 0.4 cm in the first year. An increased growth rate was also maintained in the second year.