Abstract
In a previous study of 22 severely growth-retarded children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endocrinologic evaluation revealed hypogonadism and low growth hormone (HGH) levels. This was attributed to a secondary hypopituitarism. In order to assess this hypothesis, two individuals from this group and another similar child who was not so severely growth-retarded as to be included in the initial study were given HGH replacement in an acute trial and for a 6-month interval. No significant height increment could be attributed to the HGH administration although a definite anabolic response was present in each patient during the acute trial. It appears that the youngsters with IBD may have a relative end-organ resistance to the metabolic and growth-promoting effects of HGH and that their growth problems are not related to hypopituitarism.
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This study was supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases (5-RO1-CA-09467, 5-501-AM-02133) and the Gastrointestinal Research Foundation of Chicago. The growth hormone studies were supported by US Public Health Service Grants No. HD 01290 and FR 55. The Clinical Research Center is supported by US Public Health Service Grant 5-TO-1-AM-05170. HGH was supplied by the National Pituitary Agency (HGH 68-279) and the National Institutes of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.
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McCaffery, T.D., Nasr, K., Lawrence, A.M. et al. Effect of administered human growth hormone on growth retardation in inflammatory bowel disease. Digest Dis Sci 19, 411–416 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01255604
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01255604