Decreased Growth-Hormone (Gh) Binding To Im-9 Cells In Children With Biologically Inactive Gh Syndrome (Bi)

We measured the ratio of radioreceptor assayable (RRA) to radioimunoassayable (RIA) GH in: a/ Fifteen normal stature children and young adults (controls), b/ Seven poorly growing children (neurosecretory; NS) who had normal GH RIA responses to stimulation but deficient 24-hour integrated concentration of GH (IC-GH). c/ Six poorly growing children (bioinactive; BI) who had normal GH secretion both to stimulation and IC-GH. The BI group was 9.1±3 (mean ± SD) years of age, bone age 6.1±2.7 years, IC-GH 6±2.4 ng/ml (normal 3.2-12). On GH therapy the growth rate of BI patients increased from 3.2±0.5 cm/yr to 8.8±1.9 cm/year.