Dynamic Ghrelin and GH serum levels during combined simultaneous arginine clonidine stimulation test in children with dwarfism.

Background: Combined simultaneous arginine clonidine stimulation (CSACS) test represents a more appropriate stimulus to detect Ghrelin, for it does not affect glucose metabolism.

Methods: Fifty prepubertal children with dwarfism were recruited and further classified into normal growth hormone (NGH) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) group with growth hormone (GH) peak cut-off value of 10 μg/l. In both groups, GH and Ghrelin serum levels were determined after the GH provocation test at 30, 60, and 120 min and the height standard deviation score (SDS) for bone age was measured six months later.