Evaluation of GH secretion is difficult because of fluctuation of basal serum GH levels and of GH release after pharmacological tests (PT). Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 have been recently used as indicators of GH secretion. The purpose of this work was to compare serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 with GH response to PT before surgery in 19 patients with tumors of the CNS, localized to the sellar and suprasellar regions. To define control values, serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were determined in 111 normal males and in 63 normal females and percentile (p) distribution between chronological age (CA) 0.16 and 16 years(y) were established. Patients were divided as a function GH response to PT in 2 groups (Gr), Gr1 (n=11) with GH≥ 7 ng/ml and CA 7.84±4.24 y, and Gr2 (n=8) with GH<7ng/ml and CA 11.55±4.39 y. In Gr1, 3/11 had serum IGF-1 <3p and 7/11 serum IGFBP-3<3p. In Gr2. 8/8 had both IGF-1 and IGFBP-3<3p. Height SDS was significantly lower in Gr2 than in Gr 1(-2.54±1.59 and -0.93±1.25, respectively, p=0.02). On the other hand, in 11/19 patients with IGF-1 and IGFBP-3<3p, height SDS was significantly lower than in the other 8/19 patients (-2.24±1.44 and-0.84±1.43, respectively, p<0.05). It is concluded that determination of serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in a single sample is as good an indication of GH deficiency as 2 PT.
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Belgorosky, A., Vidal, G. & Rivarola, M. Comparison of Serum Levels of Igf-1 and Igfbp-3 with Pharmacological Tests of Growth Hormone (Gh) Secretion in the Diagnosis of Gh Deficiency in Patients with Tumors of the Central Nervous System (Cns) in the Sell. Pediatr Res 41, 300 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199702000-00024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199702000-00024