Growth Hormone Levels in Protein Calorie Malnutrition

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Abstract
Growth hormone levels were studied in 54 children with protein calorie malnutrition and 30 controls. The normal hGH levels were 2.02 ± 1.74 ng/ml. The mean hGH level in 54 marasmic children was 7.24 ± 8.4 ng/ml which was significantly higher than control values. This rise in hGH levels was more evident when the serum albumin levels were less than 2.5 g/100 ml. No significant correlation between fasting blood sugar and fasting hGH levels was observed. Eleven of the above mentioned 54 marasmic children were studied under the stress of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Eight out of 11 cases showed no response by raised hGH levels to insulin hypoglycemia. This nonresponsiveness was partially corrected by replacement of high protein diet for 4–6 weeks. The role of the impaired hypothalamic-pituitary response to induced hypoglycemia in the metabolic adjustments in nutritional deprivation requires further elucidation.

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