Exercise Tolerance Test
Single-Sample Screening Technique to Rule Out Growth-Hormone Deficiency
- Roger E. Johnsonbaugh, MD, PhD;
- David E. Bybee, MD;
- Leon P. Georges, MD
Abstract
Parent-directed vigorous exercise was evaluated as a screening test for adequacy of pituitary growth-hormone release in 57 short-statured children. This method obviated the need for pharmacologic provocative testing in all but the four children with growth-hormone deficiency. In 92% of the euendocrine children, the immediate postexercise venous sample demonstrated an adequate growth-hormone level. Vigorous physical exercise after an 8- to 12-hour fast with a single postexercise serum growth-hormone sample is a reliable, safe, and cost-effective screening test for growth-hormone deficiency.
(JAMA 240:664-666, 1978)
Footnotes
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The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Navy Department or the Department of Defense.
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Reprint requests to Department of Pediatrics, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20014 (Dr Johnsonbaugh).
