Endogenous and stimulated GH secretion, urinary GH excretion, and plasma IGF‐I and IGF‐II levels in prepubertal children with short stature after intrauterine growth retardation*

Abstract

Our study indicates that 50-60% of children with short stature after intrauterine growth retardation have 24-hour GH profile abnormalities and/or subnormal responses to arginine provocation, while mean plasma IGF-I and IGF-II levels are significantly reduced, indicating GH insufficiency. Urinary GH excretion is lower in boys, but not in girls. The precise mechanism of the failure to catch up growth needs further elucidation. It seems justified to start clinical trials in order to investigate whether treatment with exogenous GH might be beneficial for these children.