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Growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing factor in sickle cell disease

S E Oberfield1, D L Wethers, J L Kirkland

  • 1Pediatric Service, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10021.

The American Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|January 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) often experience impaired growth. This study found that their growth hormone (GH) response to growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) is normal, suggesting other causes for growth issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently exhibit growth impairment.
  • Growth patterns in SCD can resemble constitutional delay in growth and pubertal development (CDGD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the growth hormone (GH) secretory capacity in children with SCD and CDGD-like growth patterns.
  • To determine if impaired GH response to growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) contributes to growth deficits in SCD.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated the GH response to an intravenous infusion of GRF (1-44) in six children with SCD.
  • Compared GH response in SCD patients to a control group of seven children.

Main Results:

  • Peak GH response to GRF in SCD patients (29.2 +/- 14.3 ng/ml) was not significantly different from controls (29.0 +/- 6.3 ng/ml).
  • These results indicate intact pituicyte GH response to GRF in children with SCD.

Conclusions:

  • The observed impaired growth in children with SCD is unlikely due to a deficient GH response to GRF.
  • Further research is needed to identify the specific mechanisms causing growth delay in pediatric SCD patients.

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