[Results of the exercise (ergometer) test as a diagnostic screening procedure in children with short stature]

The so-called Exercise Test of Lacey and coworkers (1973) is based on the fact that a functioning pituitary can be stimulated by physical exercise. The test was performed in 28 children of short stature as an out-patient screening test. The results were satisfactory since a growth-hormone deficiency could be excluded in 70% of the cases. The convenience of this test, which entails the investigation of only two blood samples, is stressed in respect to paediatric practice.