title: Screening test for growth hormone deficiency: usefulness of L-dopa-propranolol provocative test.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam.
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Low
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011433:Propranolol / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa; D013006:Growth Hormone; D011433:Propranolol