Abstract
Chronic hypokalemia results in growth retardation (GR) and has been shown to induce impaired GH secretion. (Podolsky et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 1973, 288, 644) Seven children with chronic hypokalemia and increased urinary K excretion were studied. Mean age was 11 years (range 6,5 to 15,6) and bone age 7,6 years (2,5-9,8). GR (-2,5 SD to -5 SD) was observed in all children. An arginine-insulin test was performed and plasma [GH] was measured by radioimmunoassay. During the test, [GH] increased (mean and range) from 1,07 ng/ml (0,5 - 2) to 17 ng/ml (8 - 33,5) at 60 minutes. These results were not different from ten controls showing an increase from 1,91 (0,5 - 4) to 22,6 ng/ml (10,5 - 45).
These data suggest that factors different from GH are involved in GR of chronic hypokalemia in children.
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Sann, L., Ruitton, A. & David, L. Normal growth hormone (GH) release in children with chronic hypokalemic diseases. Pediatr Res 12, 163 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197802000-00105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197802000-00105