Abstract
Removal of craniopharyngioma usually results in panhypopituitarism. Nevertheless, a number of children grow normally or even excessively after extirpation of the tumor despite the proven lack of GH. These children did not undergo GH therapy, We studied the effects of short- and long-term administration of GH on growth and metabolism in 6 patients under regular hormonal replacement therapy. During the short-term GH 15N retention was not significantly stimulated (115.4 ± 9.6 % of basal balance, mean ± SEM) and not different from controls. In contrast, 15N retention was 210.3 ± 20.7 % in children with GH-deficiency of other causes. Long-term administration of GH (2 U/m2 s.c. per day during 12 months) did not influence growth velocity, but increased calf circumference and decreased body mass index and skin fold thickness in prepubertal patients. General well-being and strength improved impressively. IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and the 150 kD IGFBP-complex were decreased before and restored to normal during GH treatment. The reverse was observed for the 50 kD IGFBP-complex. Thus, growth velocity in these patients is not related to an2y of the usual indicators of the growth status and remains unexplained. Although GH therapy does not affect growth, it has other beneficial effects and is recommended for this group of patients with normal growth velocity in the absence of GH.
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Schoenle, E., Torresani, T., Zapl, J. et al. SHORT- AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF GH IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL GROWTH DESPITE GH-DEFICIENCY AFTER REMOVAL OF CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S45 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00252
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00252