Abstract
Thirty-one children with idiopathic GH-deficiency (7 with IGHD; 26 with MPHD) were subjected to multiple testing of hypothalamopituitary and pituitary-adrenal function. ACTH stimulation and insulin-induced hypoglycemia (I.I.H.) revealed all subjects had normo-synthesis of cortisol (Δ F being greater 10 /ug/dl for ACTH, and greater 7 UG/dl for I.I.H.). LH-RH testing recorded mixed results with 11 of the MPHD-patients showing a decreased level of stimulation. However, when the circulating levels of the major adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) were examined, the group of GH-deficient patients showed decreased levels compared with age-matched controls (p < 0.01), 11 being below normal range. We conclude that although the dynamic tests indicate a normally functioning adrenal corticosteroid secretion in GH-deficient subjects the level of DHA is of pathophysiological interest and may indicate towards a different mechanism with regard to the regulation for this hormone.
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Ranke, M., Gupta, D. & Bierich, J. Circulating levels of DHA in growth hormone (GH) deficient children with normo-synthesis of cortisol. Pediatr Res 13, 1187 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00040