GROWTH-RETARDATION AND REDUCED GROWTH-HORMONE SECRETION IN A BOY WITHACHALASIA

A 15-year-old boy with achalasia of the oesophagus is described in who m growth retardation was the presenting and misleading symptom. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I secretion were decrease d but GH therapy was unsuccessful. After pneumatic dilatation of the o esophageal sphincter catch up growth occurred. Conclusion In children with inconclusive results of GH stimulation tests and unresponsiveness to GH treatment, rare causes of growth retardation due to malnutritio n or malabsorption should be considered.