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

Abstract

The results of a metabolic test with short-term administration of small doses of HGH (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 Ca increases in both groups. Serum urea-N decreases in both groups. Serum [alpha]-NH2-N-increases and the a-NH2-N-clearance decreases in the hypopituitary patients, while this is not the case in the control children. Serum inorganic P increases and alkaline phosphatase decreases in the hypopituitary patients. An attempt has been made to correlate some of the metabolic responses.