EFFECTS OF THE INFUSION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I IN A CHILD WITH GROWTH-HORMONE INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME (LARON DWARFISM)

THE clinical manifestations of the growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (Laron dwarfism) result from the inability of growth hormone to exert its biologic actions.1,2 Affected children have the severe growth retardation and other physical characteristics of growth hormone deficiency and low serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations.1,2 Unlike children with growth hormone deficiency, however, children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome have high serum growth hormone concentrations, and treatment with growth hormone does not raise their IGF-I concentrations or stimulate growth.1,2 The conclusion that the syndrome is due to abnormal or deficient cellular growth hormone receptors is supported by the finding. © 1991, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.