Clinical Research Directory

Healthy children Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ambulatory male and female children aged 5-17 years 2. Normal weight at birth 3. Height between the 3rd and 99th percentiles of the mean as per the CDC growth percentiles. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Genetic defects, chronic illnesses. 2. Current prescription medication use 3. Use of glucocorticoids, thyroid hormone or medications that may affect the GH-IGF-1 axis within 6 months of study entry. Children with GH deficiency: Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ambulatory male and female children aged 5-9 years who are prepubertal 2. Normal weight at birth 3. Growth failure 4. Peak GH response to 2 GH stimulation tests \< 10 ng/ml 5. Normal renal and liver function Exclusion criteria: 1. Multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies, 2. GH deficiency or poor growth associated with any acute or chronic medical condition such as renal disease or Turner's syndrome. 3. History of diabetes or malignancy 4. Use of glucocorticoids or medications known to affect the GH-IGF-1 axis within 6 months of study entry. Children with idiopathic Short Stature: Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ambulatory male and female children aged 5-9 years who are prepubertal 2. Normal weight at birth 3. Height \>2.25 SD below mean for age 4. Peak GH response to 2 stimulation tests \>10 ng/ml or normal IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels 5. No prior supplemental growth hormone exposure 6. Normal renal and liver function Exclusion criteria: 1. Poor growth associated with any acute or chronic medical condition such as renal disease or Turner's syndrome. 2. History of diabetes or malignancy 3. Use of glucocorticoids or medications known to affect the GH-IGF-1 axis within 6 months of study entry.