Irradiation of the head, immediate effect on growth hormone secretion in children
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), Journal Name: J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.; (United States) Vol. 44:4; ISSN JCEMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHILDREN
HEAD
HORMONES
MAMMALS
MAN
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY HORMONES
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SECRETION
STH
VERTEBRATES