Abstract
GRF may be of value in investigating growth disorders. An IV bolus of 0.5 μg/kg of GRF-44-NH2 (Peninsula Labs, USA) was given to 12 short normal children (N) and 24 children with documented GH deficiency (GHD). Serum GH and PRL were measured by RIA. In the N group. GRF induced a rapid and ample GH response :
In the GHD group, mean peak GH after GRF was lower than in the N group (8.0±2.5 vs 39.2±5.1 ng/ml, p<0.001) but peaks within the normal range were seen in the youngest GHD patients. In the N group, PRL decreased continuously over the 3 hours of the test, a reflection of its normal circadian rythm (222±54 at 9 AM vs 108±27 μU/ml at 12 AM, p<0.05). In 7 GHD patients, PRL peaked 15 minutes after GRF (366±73 at 0 min vs 494±85 μU/ml at 15 min, p<0.05); in 2 patients with genetic GHD, PRL decreased to a nadir at 60 min, followed by a rebound; in the remainder of the GHD group there was no change in PRL. Conclusion : 1) GRF at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg is a potent GH secretagogue in children; 2) Some GHD children have GH responses to GRF within the normal range; 3) The PRL response to GRF in GHD is heterogeneous.
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Vliet, G., Bosson, D., Robyn, C. et al. Effect of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) on serum growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in hypopituitary children. Pediatr Res 18, 1216 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198411000-00094
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198411000-00094