Abstract
A 12.5-year-old girl presented with short stature. Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-I) and insulin- like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) were below the 0.1 percentile. Growth hormone provocation tests disclosed normal responses to l-arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. A huge benign mesenteric cyst was discovered by abdominal ultrasound and completely removed. Subsequently, the girl showed a marked catch-up growth; however, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 remained below the 0.1 percentile.
Conclusion These observations imply that growth may take place even with very low levels of insulin-like growth factors. The interpretation of low IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in short children still requires good clinical judgement and basic knowledge of their biological action.
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Received: 24 September 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 16 March 1998
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Dötsch, J., Siebler, T., Blum, W. et al. Good growth despite very low levels of insulin-like growth factors. Eur J Pediatr 157, 712–714 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050920
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050920