Resolution of apparent growth hormone-dependent growth failure during puberty: a case report

A prepubertal boy with apparent growth hormone (GH)-dependent growth failure displayed a marked increase in growth velocity, normal GH responses to arginine/insulin infusion and a fourfold increase in spontaneous 24-hour GH secretion following the onset of normal puberty. The case supports earlier observations of a transient form of GH insufficiency in some short prepubertal children, but represents the first evidence that puberty restores spontaneous as well as stimulated GH secretion in such patients.