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[Growth hormone response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in children with normal stature or normal variant short

D Zdravković, M Banićević, Z Subotić

    Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo
    |January 1, 1994
    PubMed

    Insights

    Establishing normal growth hormone (GH) levels in children is crucial for diagnosing deficiencies. This study defines normal GH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in pre-pubertal children, aiding in accurate diagnosis.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Growth Hormone Physiology
    • Diagnostic Endocrinology

    Context:

    • Accurate assessment of growth hormone (GH) secretion is vital for diagnosing growth disorders in children.
    • Insulin-induced hypoglycemia is a standard provocative test for evaluating GH secretion.
    • Defining normal GH values is essential for differentiating between normal variant short stature and pathological conditions.

    Purpose:

    • To establish normal reference values for growth hormone (GH) levels during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in pre-pubertal children.
    • To compare GH responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia with nocturnal GH secretion.
    • To determine the lower limit of normal GH response that excludes GH deficiency.

    Summary:

    • A study involving 30 pre-pubertal children (aged 6.4-16.8 years) with normal or short stature assessed maximal GH levels during insulin-induced hypoglycemia and 12-hour nocturnal GH secretion.
    • A GH response exceeding 20 mIU/L (10 ng/mL) to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was identified as the lower limit of the normal range, excluding GH deficiency.
    • GH responses between 15-20 mIU/L during insulin-induced hypoglycemia were also frequently indicative of normal endogenous GH secretion in short, normal children.

    Impact:

    • Provides crucial reference ranges for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency in pediatric populations.
    • Enhances the accuracy of diagnostic protocols for short stature in children.
    • Contributes to better clinical decision-making regarding growth hormone therapy.

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