Diurnal rhythms of HGH secretion were measured in five children 3 to 13 years old: a) during daily administration of 60 mg/M2 of prednisone b) during alternate-therapy with 40 mg/M2 of prednisone c) following discontinuation of therapy. It was found that daily administration of prednisone resulted in an almost complete disappearance of the normally observed HGH peaks. A decrease of the mean peak plasma HGH level as well as the mean of the highest HGH levels was also observed. However on alternate-day therapy it was found that on the day “offsteroids” the peaks were maintained. The mean peak plasma HGH level, as well as the mean of the highest HGH levels were higher when compared to the values observed when the patients were treated daily (p<0.01). No significant differences were found after discontinuation of treatment. It is suggested that the disappearance of the spontaneous peaks might explain in part the growth retardation noticed in children on long-term treatment with corticosteroids. Nevertheless, the normal growth rate observed in children on alternate-day steroid therapy could possibly be explained by the normal HGH secretion noticed during the day when steroids were not given.
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