Influence of growth hormone on the patbogenesis of obesity in cl 'ldren

Plasma levels o[ growth hormone were investigated in 14 normal and 13 obese children after insulin-induced hypoglycemia and arginine in[usion. All control subjects had a significant increase of growth hormone in both tests. By contrast, none o[ the obese children responded normally to both stimuli; 6 o[ the obese children failed to respond to either stimulus, and 7 responded to one stimulus but not to the other. The impairment o[ growth hormone secretion a#er insulin-induced hypoglycemia and arginine infusion may represent a pathogenetic and aggravating [actor o[ obesity.