Diagnostic value of growth hormone-releasing hormone tests in short children. 1994

M Kadrnka-Lovrencić, and E Verona
Pediatric Department, Clinical Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.

The values of GH following GHRH stimulation were determined in 32 short children. Firstly, the secretion of GH was measured by two conventional tests (insulin-induced hypoglycemia and arginine tests). According to the response of GH secretion, the children were divided in two groups, the first one with short children suffering from growth hormone deficiency (GHD) (N = 17), and the second with short children without growth hormone deficiency (non-GHD) (N = 15). In the first group (GHD), according to the extent of the GH response to GHRH stimulation, three subgroups were distinguished: in 8 children GH response was < 5 ng/ml, in 5, between 5 and 8 ng/ml, and in 4 the response was > 10 ng/ml. In the second group (non-GHD), the response of GH was between 4.7 and 8.2 ng/ml only in two children, and all other children expressed a response above 10 ng/ml. Comparing the values in both groups by induced hypoglycemia and GHRH test, the response of GH was significantly higher following GHRH stimulation. In the first group the mean value of GH following GHRH stimulation was 10.9 ng/ml (s = 16.35), and in induced hypoglycemic test 1.92 ng/ml (s = 1.86). In the non-GHD group the mean value of GH in the GHRH test was 25.29 ng/ml (s = 14.15), versus GH value in the hypoglycemic test of 11.22 ng/ml (s = 3.045). The authors conclude that the GHRH stimulation test is an acceptable test in differentiation between GH deficiency of pituitary and hypothalamic origin. Still, the GHRH stimulation test alone is not sufficient for the diagnostic procedure of GH deficiency.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D005260 Female Females
D006130 Growth Disorders Deviations from the average values for a specific age and sex in any or all of the following: height, weight, skeletal proportions, osseous development, or maturation of features. Included here are both acceleration and retardation of growth. Stunted Growth,Stunting,Disorder, Growth,Growth Disorder,Growth, Stunted,Stuntings
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013006 Growth Hormone A polypeptide that is secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Growth hormone, also known as somatotropin, stimulates mitosis, cell differentiation and cell growth. Species-specific growth hormones have been synthesized. Growth Hormone, Recombinant,Pituitary Growth Hormone,Recombinant Growth Hormone,Somatotropin,Somatotropin, Recombinant,Growth Hormone, Pituitary,Growth Hormones Pituitary, Recombinant,Pituitary Growth Hormones, Recombinant,Recombinant Growth Hormones,Recombinant Pituitary Growth Hormones,Recombinant Somatotropins,Somatotropins, Recombinant,Growth Hormones, Recombinant,Recombinant Somatotropin
D013007 Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone A peptide of 44 amino acids in most species that stimulates the release and synthesis of GROWTH HORMONE. GHRF (or GRF) is synthesized by neurons in the ARCUATE NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, GHRF stimulates GH release by the SOMATOTROPHS in the PITUITARY GLAND. Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor,Somatocrinin,Somatotropin-Releasing Factor 44,Somatotropin-Releasing Hormone,GHRH 1-44,GRF 1-44,Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor 44,Human Pancreatic Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor,Somatoliberin,hpGRF 44,Growth Hormone Releasing Factor,Growth Hormone Releasing Factor 44,Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone,Somatotropin Releasing Factor 44,Somatotropin Releasing Hormone

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