Growth hormone releasing hexapeptide-6 (GHRP-6) test in the diagnosis of GH-deficiency

GHRP-6 testing showed lower GH responses in GH-deficient children vs normal children, but with considerable overlap between groups, limiting diagnostic specificity.

Abstract

Pituitary GH reserve can be assessed by substances that act directly at the somatotroph, such as GHRH, or by a variety of metabolic and neuropharmacological tests acting at the hypothalamic level, such as hypoglycemia, clonidine or L-Dopa.. In order to evaluate GHRP-6 as a test of pituitary GH reserve, we studied GH responses of i.v.. administered GHRP-6 in a group of short-statured children, as.

Key Findings

Although we found that the GH response to GHRP-6 was lower in patients with GHD than in normal children, on an individual basis a considerable degree of overlap was observed between the two groups.

Study Design

Clinical study