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MUSCULAR EXERTION: A TEST OF PITUITARY FUNCTION IN CHILDREN
Author(s) -
GARLASCHI C.,
GUERCIO M. J. DEL,
NATALE B. DI,
CACCAMO A.,
CHIUMELLO G.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1975.tb03915.x
Subject(s) - exertion , medicine , hypoglycemia , insulin , insulin tolerance test , pediatrics , endocrinology , physical therapy , insulin sensitivity , insulin resistance
Garlaschi, C, Del Guercio, M. J., Di Natale, B., Caccamo, A. and Chiumello, G. (Department of Paediatrics, University of Milan, Italy). Muscular exertion: a test of pituitary function in children. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:752, 1975.–The elevated level of growth hormone after moderate standardized physical exercise was compared with that induced by intravenous arginine infusion and by insulin induced hypoglycemia in children with normal pituitary function. Tests were performed on 49 prepubertal children (34 boys and 15 girls); in 42 cases the increase was significant for all three tests, in 5 cases the response was minimal after insulin stimulation but normal after arginine and physical exertion; in 1 case arginine produced no response but the other tests were positive; in 1 case there was a response to arginine but none to insulin or physical exertion. The results indicate that frequently more than one test is necessary for the diagnosis of normal pituitary function; physical exertion being a physiologic test, is simple to perform, acceptable to the children and without side effects. It appears the test of first choice because it can be used in patients seen ambulatorily, other tests being performed in case of doubt or negative response.