High prevalence of eosinophilia in growth hormone-deficient children.
BACKGROUND
To determine the clinical significance of eosinophilia in growth-hormone (GH)-deficient children, a clinical study consisting of 72 children and adolescents (mean age 9 years and 6 months at diagnosis) with GH deficiency (GHD) was undertaken. Patients were treated with GH, along with supplementation for the combined deficiency in patients with multiple hormone deficiency.


METHODS
A complete blood count and hemogram with microscopic examination of a peripheral blood smear was performed.


RESULTS
Before treatment, differential eosinophil counts exceeded 5% in 30 subjects (41.7%) and absolute eosinophil counts were >350 /microL in 27 subjects (37.5%). Growth hormone therapy did not significantly affect eosinophil counts. There was an inverse relationship between absolute eosinophil count and peak GH value in response to the L-dopa stimulation test (n=65; Rs=-0.252; P=0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
For the diagnosis of GHD, one should take into account that GH response to L-dopa stimulation can be selectively blunted in patients with eosinophilia.
Kawada
Y
Y
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan. kawada@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Yamamoto
Y
Y
Noda
M
M
Asayama
K
K
Shirahata
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007980:Levodopa; D008297:Male
D007980:Levodopa; D013006:Growth Hormone