Irradiation of the head, immediate effect on growth hormone secretion in children

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-44-4-791· OSTI ID:7259772

Dacou-Voutetakis, C; Xypolyta, A; Haidas, S; Constantinidis, M; Papavasiliou, C; Zannos-Mariolea, L

Plasma growth hormone (GH) was determined in samples obtained hourly from 1000 h to 0700 h before, and after a 3 week course of ''prophylactic'' cranial irradiation, in ten leukemic children who had no clinical or laboratory evidence of central nervous system involvement. The mean per hour value of GH prior to irradiation (4.1 +- 2.4 ng/ml) was similar to that of 7 endocrinologically normal children (4.09 +- 2.4 ng/ml), a finding strongly suggesting normal pituitary function prior to irradiation. Following irradiation GH levels at each hour were, in general, lower than before. The difference is statistically significant at 0100h. The peak GH responses were lower following the preceding irradiation (p less than 0.02). The findings suggest an immediate suppressive effect of irradiation on the apparently normal hypothalamic pituitary axis in children.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Athens
• OSTI ID: 7259772
• Journal Information: J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.; (United States), Vol. 44:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
HEAD
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
STH
SECRETION
CHILDREN
RADIATIONS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
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BODY AREAS
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560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man