[Adenohypophysis secretion in children: comparison between a combined test and isolated stimulation tests]

Pituitary function is assessed by a combined test (insulin, TRH, LH-RH) in twenty prepubertal children with constitutional delay of growth and/or retarded bone maturation, and is compared with another group of 31 children with the same diagnostic assessed by an isolated test. Plasma GH, TSH, PRL and cortisol levels had not interferences when the provocation stimuli were administrated in combined form or isolated one. When basal cortisol levels were near 25 mcg/100 ml, the insulin induced hypoglycemia did not lead higher values. Simultaneous evaluation of pituitary function can assessed in a short period of time (two hours) with minimum disturbs in children and exhibits a good information of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.