Abstract
Studies of normals have shown that the nocturnal secretion of growth hormone (GH) is coupled to deep sleep (stage 4), but administration of human growth hormone releasing factor has failed to modify sleep parameters in normals. The aim of the present study was to examine whether GH-deficient patients have normal sleep. 8 pituitary dwarfs with isolated growth hormone deficiency (peak value in clonidin stimulation test: less than 3 ng/ml), age 18-28 years old were examined. The sleep was recorded 2 consecutive nights with EEG, EOG and EMG according to Rechtschaffen and Kales criteria. The sleep records were manually scored by an independent scorer as well as automatically scored.
There was a reduction of stage 4 sleep (mean: 35 min) compared to 13 age and sex matched controls (mean: 57 min, p < 0,01). Total deep sleep (stage 3+4) was also reduced (p = 0,02; Mann Whitney test). There was a trend towards REM sleep time reduction, but the difference was not significant. Total sleep time (TST) was significantly increased (mean TST: 559 min, range 429-770 min, p < 0,01 The increased TST was related to an increase in stage 2 NREM sleep. The abnormally low deep sleep is at minimum a biological marker in these patients. It is possible that the poor GH-secretion in GH-deficient patients is related to a reduction of deep sleep, making the sleep-process triggering the hypothalamo-pituitary GH secretion.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Åström, C., Pedersen, S., Trojaborg, W. et al. 84 DEP SLEEP AND GRWOTH HORMONE SECRETION IN ISOLATED GH-DEFICIENT PATIENTS. Pediatr Res 24, 531 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00105
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00105