Abstract
Twelve children were studied with arginine-insulin tolerance tests (AITT). Nine were growth hormone (GH) deficient; three of these had TSH deficiency and were studied after full thyroid hormone replacement. No child was found to have ACTH deficiency. Subjects were divided into three groups based on GH response and hypoglycemic symptomatology. Group I: normal responders with mild symptoms (tachycardia, diaphoresis). Group II: GH deficient children with mild symptoms. Group III: GH deficient children with cerebral symptoms requiring IV glucose.
Glucose, cortisol, and insulin levels were comparable in all subjects. GH secretion was negligible in all GH deficient subjects. The glucagon and glucose responses were: (mean + SEM)
These data suggest an association between glucagon secretion during the AITT and the degree of hypoglycemic symptomatology. Glucagon in high plasma concentration may retard the development of the cerebrally mediated hypoglycemic symptoms despite low plasma glucose levels. Supported in part by NIH grant RR-0199 and the Aaron FOX Found.
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Winter, R., Wise, J. & Green, O. GLUCAGON RESPONSES IN ARGININE-INSULIN TOLERANCE TESTS IN GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY. Pediatr Res 11, 432 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00379
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00379