title: Case report of an anaphylactoid reaction to arginine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arginine is an agent commonly used to evaluate adequacy of growth hormone (GH) secretion. Because arginine is a simple amino acid, it is considered safe and rarely causes adverse reactions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the second anaphylactoid reaction to arginine in a child undergoing stimulation testing with arginine for assessing GH secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Allergy skin testing to arginine was performed with a protocol similar to penicillin testing 4 weeks after the anaphylactoid reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Testing revealed a positive response to the arginine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of intravenous arginine as a test of GH reserve remains safe and effective, but it is prudent to have the equipment and medication available to treat an allergic reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Babies and Children's Hospital, New York, New York 10032, USA. djr115@juno.com
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.forename: Barney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Softness
authors.forename: Allison R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Gaya S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Aranoff
authors.forename: Lenore S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D001120:Arginine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D001120:Arginine