Children with organic growth hormone deficiency have elevated cortisol responses to stimuli

The aim of this study was to investigate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HP A) function in children with GH deficiency. Ninety-four patients were evalu ated for GH deficiency and cortisol (F) deficiency using clinical criteria and L-dopa and insulin-induced hypoglycemia stimulation tests. They were as signed to three diagnostic groups: organic GH deficient (OGHD), idiopathic GH deficient (IGHD), and not GK-deficient (NGHD). Time series, cross-sectio nal, regression analysis revealed statistically significantly elevated F [> 828 nmol/L (30 mug/dL)] in the OGHD group vs. the NGHD group. The value for F in the IGHD group was not different from the NGHD group. This finding su ggests that dysregulation of the HPA axis is present in most children with OGH deficiency and significantly less often in children with IGH deficiency or without GH deficiency. Anatomical disruption of the control pathways fo r the HPA axis or stress may cause the dysregulation.