Abstract
GH is now recognised to be important in early postnatal growth, High GH levels nave been documented but the pulsatility has not been defined because of difficulties in obtaining frequent blood samples. We have developed an automated computerised technique which enables microsamples of blood to be withdrawn through an intravenous (IV) cannula. Blood samples of 40ul were collected in a validated dilution of 1:4, with heparinlsed saline. GH was measured by immunoradiometric assay. The sensitivity was 0.2mU/l and the intra-assay CV[%] was 9.6, 7.7, and 4.4 at concentrations of 1.0, 5.0 and 25mU/l respectively. GH profiles (10m sampling over 12hr) from 5 normal babies at the end of IV drug therapy were analysed by pulsar and time series analysis.
The dominant pulse periodicity [Fourier Transform) in these babies was 90-100 minutes.
We have demonstrated high mean and baseline GH levels and a fast frequency GH pulsatility in newborn babies.
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Adcock, C., Wilkinson, A., Dunger, D. et al. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWTH HORMONE (GH) PULSATILITY IN NEONATES. Pediatr Res 35, 263 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00054
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00054