Myalgia and Hematuria in Association with Clonidine and Arginine Administration for Growth Hormone Stimulation Tests
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Evaluation of Amino Acid Consumption in Cultured Bone Cells and Isolated Bone Shafts
Published on: April 13, 2022
Meghan Glibbery1,2,3, Adam Fleming1,4, Rahul Chanchlani1,5
1Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) diagnosis involves stimulation tests, which are generally safe. This case details rare side effects, including myalgia and hematuria, after clonidine and arginine administration in a child.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) impacts childhood growth and metabolism.
- Two-agent growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests are standard diagnostic tools for GHD.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old boy with a history of anaplastic ependymoma experienced bilateral calf myalgia and gross hematuria post-GH stimulation testing.
- The adverse events, myalgia and hematuria, resolved spontaneously without intervention.
Findings:
- Literature review identified 6 cases of hematuria with clonidine and 20 cases with arginine.
- This case presents an unusual combination of adverse reactions to clonidine and arginine during GH testing.
Implications:
- Pediatric endocrinologists should be aware of potential myalgia and hematuria side effects from clonidine and arginine GH stimulation tests.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and incidence of these adverse reactions.
- Counseling patients and families on the potential for hematuria associated with GH testing using these agents is recommended.
Abstract:
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children has significant impacts on growth and metabolism. Two-agent GH stimulation tests are commonly used to diagnose GHD, and these tests are generally considered safe. We report the case of a 5-year 5-month-old boy with a history of anaplastic ependymoma who underwent GH stimulation testing for growth deceleration using clonidine and arginine. He developed bilateral calf myalgia and gross hematuria within 24 hours of the tests. Myalgia and hematuria resolved spontaneously. Importantly, the literature review and database searches for hematuria identified 6 cases with clonidine and 20 cases with arginine. This case highlights an unusual combination of adverse reactions to clonidine and arginine in children undergoing GH stimulation testing to assess for GHD. Pediatric endocrinologists need to be aware of the potential for these side effects to allow appropriate management, and further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms and frequency of these side effects. We recommend that patients and families need to be counselled about hematuria as an association of GH testing with these medications.
More Related Videos
07:38Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin
Published on: May 6, 2018
05:57Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug
Published on: May 17, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction