How to check the secretion of growth hormone in babies? How to check the secretion of growth hormone in babies?

Growth hormone directly determines the height of a child, so many parents worry that their baby's growth hormone is not secreted enough when their baby is shorter than other children of the same age. Today, let's talk about the methods of growth hormone testing. Parents who have babies who are too short can check their baby's growth hormone.

How to check baby's growth hormone

The diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency relies on GH determination. The serum GH value of normal people is very low and is secreted in a pulsed manner. It is affected by various factors. Therefore, random blood sampling and GH measurement is meaningless for diagnosis. However, if the random blood GH level is significantly higher than normal (>10μg/L), GHD can be ruled out. Therefore, children suspected of GHD must undergo GH stimulation tests to determine the function of the pituitary gland in secreting GH.

Physiological tests are screening tests, and drug tests are confirmatory tests. It is generally believed that during the test, if the peak value of GH is less than 10μg/L, it means that the secretion function is abnormal. If the peak value of GH is less than 5μg/L, it means that GH is not completely deficient. If the peak value of GH is 5-10μg/L, it means that GH is partially deficient. Because various GH stimulation tests have certain limitations, GHD can only be diagnosed when the results of more than two drug stimulation tests are abnormal. Generally, insulin plus clonidine or levodopa test is selected. For younger children, especially those with symptoms of hypoglycemia when fasting, special care should be taken when giving insulin, because it can easily cause serious reactions such as hypoglycemia convulsions. In addition, if it is necessary to distinguish whether the lesion is in the hypothalamus or the pituitary, a GHRH stimulation test must be performed.

Children's height problem check items

The following examinations are required: Physical examination: height, weight, arm length, head circumference, body fat content

Medical history: the mother's physical condition during pregnancy, any complications, the child's medical history, and whether there is a family history of growth disorders

Blood tests: A blood test can check how much growth hormone the pituitary gland is secreting, usually by testing a sample of blood taken over a 12-24 hour period. A blood test can also check if there is a problem with the pituitary gland receiving the signal to release growth hormone.

X-ray bone age examination: X-rays are a common method for examining bone growth and growth potential. X-ray examinations of the child's hands and wrists can help doctors evaluate the expected effects of growth hormone treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an effective method for examining the pituitary gland. It is simple, painless and clear.

Urine test: Growth hormone deficiency may also be caused by other diseases. Urine test can help doctors identify the effects of other diseases. If growth hormone deficiency is caused by other diseases, growth hormone deficiency can be corrected by treating the primary disease.

How to test growth hormone

1. Draw blood 30 to 60 minutes after falling asleep and detect the concentration of growth hormone at the physiological peak of growth hormone.

2. Collect urine from 9 pm to 7 am the next morning and measure the growth hormone excreted in the urine.

3. Arginine stimulation test Arginine was injected intravenously.

4. Insulin hypoglycemia test

All of the above tests have false positives and false negatives, but the insulin hypoglycemia test has the least. In clinical practice, the other three tests are often combined to make a judgment. If the results are still ambiguous, a hypoglycemia stimulation test is added. Other tests include glucagon, vasopressin, etc., which are less used in clinical practice.