title: Safety of the insulin tolerance test.
abstract: Concerns have been raised about the hazards of the insulin tolerance test (ITT), used to measure growth hormone secretion. In Glasgow, we continue to use this test, adhering to a strict protocol. A review of outcome over a 10 year period (1989-99), during which 550 ITTs were performed, was undertaken. No serious adverse events occurred; in particular, no child fitted or required intravenous glucose. Fewer tests were done during the latter five years, with a higher yield of growth hormone (GH) deficiency, reflecting our increasingly conservative approach to paediatric GH therapy during this period. We conclude that the ITT is safe and reliable in a paediatric setting provided that a strict procedure is followed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, UK. petergalloway@lineone.net
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McNeill
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: M D C
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Donaldson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects; D008485:Medical Audit; D010901:Pituitary Function Tests / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone