Growth and Growth Hormone

Authors:
  • HGHarvey G. Goodman
    Harvey G. Goodman
  • MGMelvin M. Grumbach
    Melvin M. Grumbach
  • SKSelna L. Kaplan
    Selna L. Kaplan
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Abstract
Human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency was documented by radioimmunoassay in 35 patients — 16 with isolated HGH, 7 HGH and TSH, 4 HGH and ACTH, and 8 HGH, TSH and ACTH deficiencies. Of 15 patients with TSH deficiency, six had a previously documented normal PBI, suggesting progressive acquisition of tropic hormone deficiency. Birth weight and gestational age were usually normal in patients with isolated and multiple deficiencies. The onset of HGH deficiency was variable, and growth failure usually occurred before one year; growth continued at a diminished rate. Hypoglycemia was present in 56 per cent of those with isolated HGH deficiency and in all with HGH and ACTH deficiencies. Therapy was associated with pubertal development in three patients with isolated HGH deficiency of pubertal age, suggesting the usefulness of HGH therapy in differentiating hypopituitary dwarfs with gonadotropin deficiency from those in whom delayed gonadal function is related to HGH deficiency. Dwarfism was nonfamilial, suggesting that nongenetic factors should be considered in the pathogenesis.

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