Comparison of growth hormone secretion patterns in children with and without hormonal deficiency

Methods for linear least-squares rhythmometry were used to describe the circadian pattern of growth hormone (GH) secretion in groups of children divided according to stature and clinical status. A comparison of circadian parameters indicates similar characteristics between normal and short children, but significant differences in GH secretion for GH-deficient children. Treatment of slow growing children should be timed according to the circadian pattern characterizing GH secretion in all groups of subjects investigated¹