The diagnostic approach to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children with short stature (SS) is controversial. Here we review the available methodology and present prospective data obtained in a cohort of patients with SS suggesting the use of screening test followed by the confirmation test. Thus, the children with SS should be submitted to clinical and laboratorial evaluation to exclude of chronic and genetic diseases. In addition patients with height < 3 percentil or growth velocity < percentil 25, IGF-1 […]

We evaluated GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations in ten acromegalic patients before and after treatment with subcutaneous octreotide (OCT-sc) and long-acting octreotide (OCT-LAR). We also evaluated the acute and short-period treatment (post 21 days) with octreotide as an index to test tolerance and responsiveness to both formulations. Patients were also evaluated after 6 months of treatment with each drug. Pre-treatment fasting GH (µg/l; IFMA), GH nadir during oGTT and IGF-1 (µg/l; IRMA) levels were 13.9±6.3; 11.4±6.3; 717±107, respectively. Fasting GH […]