Lim YJ, Kwan E, Low LC. Screening test for growth hormone deficiency: usefulness of L-dopa-propranolol provocative test.
J Paediatr Child Health 1994;
30:328-30. [PMID:
7946545 DOI:
10.1111/j.1440-1754.1994.tb00656.x]
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Abstract
This is a retrospective review of 185 short children who were tested for growth hormone (GH) secretion using the L-dopa-propranolol provocative test. One hundred and thirty-three children were deemed to have passed the screening test when a GH concentration of greater than 15 miu/L was elicited after stimulation. Fifty-two failed the screening test, of which 33 were diagnosed as having growth hormone deficiency (GHD) when they had inadequate growth hormone response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. The other 19 were low-responders since they showed adequate GH response to insulin tolerance test (ITT). The low-responder rate to L-dopa-propranolol provocative test among short children who are not GH deficient was 12.5%. The low cost of L-dopa and propranolol, the simplicity and safety of the test, and the acceptable rate of low-responders make the test an effective screening test for GHD.
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