Abstract
To investigate the growth hormone (GH) response in children of varying stature to a physiological stimulus, we measured GH (mU/1) before and 10 min after a standardised bicycle exercise test (15 min) in 34 short (Group I), 14 tall (Group II) and 26 children of normal height (Group III). Mean height SDS (±SD) was different; (Group I -2.7 ±0.55; Group II +2.86 ±0.67; Group III -0.26 ±0.82, p < 0.0005). Mean (±SD) chronological age (yr) was similar (Group I 12.4 ±3.4; Group II 13.6 ±2.0; Group III 13.4 ±3.0), mean (±SD) bone age (BA, yr) however was delayed in Group I (10.4 ±3.7) compared with Group II(14.1 ±1.3) and Group III (13.4 ±3.1) p < 0.0005. Results are expressed as mean ±SEM. Pre-ex. GH was similar (Group I 6.5 ±1.9; Group II 8.9 ±2.6; Group III 9.0 ±2.5). In contrast post-ex. GH was higher in tall (36.6 ±5.5) compared with short (16.6 ±3.1) and normal children (21.2 ±3.5), p < 0.005. However, combining the three groups revealed a high post-ex. GH in relation to the pubertal growth spurt independent of height; GH at BA <10 yrs 13.1 ±3.0; BA >10 yrs 25.5 ±2.8, p < 0.005: GH at P3P4, 34.7 ±4.5; at P1P2 15.2 ±2.4 and at P5 20.7 ±6.3, p < 0.0005). Raised post exercise GH in tall children appears to reflect a normal change in secretion of GH at puberty and this change is also present in short children.
Supported by: Smith and Nephew Foundation and Swiss National Science Foundation, Grant No. 3.906.0.83.
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Greene, S., Torresani, T. & Prader, A. 36 GROWTH HORMONE RESPONSE TO A STANOARDISED EXERCISE TEST RELATED TO PUBERTY IN SHORT, TALL AND NORMAL CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 19, 609 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198506000-00056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198506000-00056