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Children with organic growth hormone deficiency have elevated cortisol responses to stimuli

J W Finkelstein1, D E Rusovici, E Green

  • 1Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. jwf3@psu.edu

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|June 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Children with organic growth hormone (GH) deficiency often show hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. Idiopathic GH deficiency or no GH deficiency did not present with significant HPA axis differences.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • HPA Axis Function

Background:

  • Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a condition affecting childhood development.
  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a crucial role in stress response and metabolism.
  • Understanding HPA axis function in GH-deficient children is essential for comprehensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in children diagnosed with GH deficiency.
  • To compare HPA axis function across different categories of GH deficiency: organic, idiopathic, and non-deficient.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 94 children for GH and cortisol (F) deficiency.
  • Utilized clinical criteria and stimulation tests (L-dopa, insulin-induced hypoglycemia).
  • Employed time series, cross-sectional, and regression analyses.

Main Results:

  • Children with organic GH deficiency (OGHD) exhibited significantly elevated cortisol levels compared to the non-GH-deficient (NGHD) group.
  • Cortisol levels in the idiopathic GH deficient (IGHD) group were not significantly different from the NGHD group.
  • HPA axis dysregulation was prevalent in OGHD but less common in IGHD and NGHD.

Conclusions:

  • HPA axis dysregulation is a common finding in children with organic GH deficiency.
  • HPA axis dysfunction is less frequently observed in children with idiopathic GH deficiency or without GH deficiency.
  • Anatomical disruption or stress may contribute to HPA axis dysregulation in OGHD.

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