Muscular exertion: a test of pituitary function in children.
The elevated level of growth hormone after moderate standardized physical exercise was compared with that induced by intravenous arginine infusion and by insulin induced hypoglycemia in children with normal pituitary function. Tests were performed on 49 prepubertal children (34 boys and 15 girls); in 42 cases the increase was significant for all three tests, in 5 cases the response was minimal after insulin stimulation but normal after arginine and physical exertion; in 1 case arginine produced no response but the other tests were positive; in 1 case there was a response to arginine but none to insulin or physical exertion. The results indicate that frequently more than one test is necessary for the diagnosis of normal pituitary function; physical exertion being a physiologic test, is simple to perform, acceptable to the children and without side effects. It appears the test of first choice because it can be used in patients seen ambulatorily, other tests being performed in case of doubt or negative response.
D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D001120:Arginine