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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
Published on: January 7, 2016
Growth hormone response patterns in sexually or physically abused boys
J B Jensen1, J J Pease, R ten Bensel
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Abstract:
The ratio of growth hormone response to clonidine and L-dopa challenge was compared in 74 boys: 15 with purported physical abuse, 7 with purported sexual abuse, 13 normal controls, and 39 psychiatric controls. Sexually abused boys demonstrate a statistically significant elevated ratio of growth hormone response to clonidine versus response to L-dopa. Physically abused boys demonstrate lower clonidine/L-dopa growth hormone response ratios compared with controls. These effects widen with increasing physical development.
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