THE METABOLIC EFFECT OF A SMALL UNIFORM DOSE OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE IN HYPOPITUITARY DWARFS AND IN CONTROL CHILDREN

Abstract

ABSTRACT The results of a metabolic test with short-term administration of small doses of human growth hormone (2 mg/m2 of HGH Raben daily) in 17 hypopituitary dwarfs and in 15 control children are described. A much greater N-retention is found in the hypopituitary patients. The excretion of creatinine and creatine decreases and the excretion of calcium increases in both groups. Serum urea-N decreases in both groups. Serum α-NH2-N increases and the α-NH2-N-clearance decreases in the hypopituitary patients, while this is not the case in the control children. Serum inorganic phosphorus increases and alkaline phosphatase decreases in the hypopituitary patients. An attempt has been made to correlate some of the metabolic responses.