GH and cortisol response to glucagon administration in short children

H C Johnstone1, T D Cheetham

  • 1School of Clinical Medical Sciences (Child Health), University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. H.C.Johnstone@ncl.ac.uk

Hormone Research
|May 29, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) status does not significantly impact glucose response to glucagon in children. However, age influences GH and cortisol levels in short, normal children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Growth Hormone Deficiency

Background:

  • Assessing growth hormone (GH) status is crucial in pediatric endocrinology.
  • Understanding glucose metabolism in relation to hormonal function is important for growth disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if growth hormone (GH) status correlates with glucose response to glucagon.
  • To identify factors influencing maximum GH and cortisol concentrations in children.

Main Methods:

  • 95 children with short stature or suspected hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction were studied.
  • Participants were categorized into normal, organic GH-deficient, or non-organic GH-deficient groups.
  • Assessment included medical history, GH response, and MRI findings.

Main Results:

  • Glucose response to glucagon was not associated with GH status.
  • Peak GH response positively correlated with age in prepubertal children.
  • Peak cortisol levels showed an inverse relationship with age.

Conclusions:

  • GH status is not a primary factor affecting glucose response to glucagon.
  • Age is a significant factor in the GH and cortisol response patterns of short, normal children.
Abstract

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