Glucocorticoids cause growth retardation in children. We have studied the effect of these hormones on serum somatomedin (Sm) levels in seven children with nephrosis. Intravenous administration of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, 2.2 mg/kg, causes a rapid fall in serum Sm activity. The activity remains suppressed during continuous therapy, but returns toward normal when medication is omitted during the course of alternate-day therapy. We conclude that one reason for growth retardation secondary to continuous glucocorticoid therapy is suppression of Sm generation. A direct effect of these hormones on the cartilage cell or induction of an Sm inhibitor cannot be excluded by the reported experiments.

Progression of CLT in T4 tgeated children h>s been poorly documented. The response of endogenous T4, T3 and TSH to withdrawal after 2 to 9 yrs of therapy in 6 children, 7-18 yrs, was studied with weekly levels for 4-20 wks. At Dx. of CLT 5 had hypothyroid values. Results indicated 3 patterns of response: 1) clinical and lab evidence of hypothyroidism in 6 wks, 2) increased TSH with normal T4 followed by return of goiter 8 wks off therapy, 3) clinical & chemical euthyroidism in 3 with no return of goiter 12-20 wks off therapy. This group demonstrated a reduction in agglutinating antibody (Ab) titers from initial levels. Two had hypothyroid lab data at dx. of CLT. Normal TSH, T4 & T3 occurred 5 wks after discontinuing therapy. A reduction in Ab titers with normal TSH accompanied euthyroidism. Hypothyroidism coincided with unchanged Ab. In contrast to adults treated for 10 yrs, with deterioration in thyroid function noted 6 wks off therapy (Papapetrou et al, Lancet,Nov.72 A prospective study, designed to correlate serial measurements of tropic and end organ hormone levels with the physical changes of puberty, was carried out in 46 boys with physical examinations and blood samples every 6 months for 4 years.Serum levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone ( T ) , androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), DHA sulfate, progesterone (P), 17 OH-P, estrone, and estradiol were determined and correlated with genital and pubic hair staging criteria, appearance of axillary hair, facial hair, voice change, acne, pubertal gynecomastia, weight gain, and height increase.Significant correlations were: (1) parallel increases of LH and T throughout puberty after an initial rise of LH; (2) FSH increases during early puberty; and (3) androstenedione, DHA, and DHAS increase throughout. Prolactin levels did not change. Concentrations of 17-OH-P increased while P levels rose minimally. The % who developed acne had significantly higher T levels than stage-matched controls. Subareolar breast hyperplasia occurred in 6% concomitant with a rise of T occurring with minimal increases of estrogen. The onset of facial hair, axillary hair, voice change, and increased weight and height are more closely correlated with increasing T levels than changes in other hormone levels. (Supported in part by NIH-HD-05318) EFFECTS OF SERUM FROM GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENT PATIENTS ON THE IN VITRO GROWTH OF HUMAN SKIN FIBROBLASTS. Margaret H.MacGillivray, Claudia Hastings, Judith A. Brown and E.J. w. SUNYAB, Children's Hosp., Dept. of Ped ., Buffalo, N.Y.In this communication, data are presented on the morphological changes which occurred when human skin fibroblasts were grown in medium containing serum from hypopituitary patients prior to and during treatment with human GH. Skin fibroblasts obtained from normal and GH deficient children were established in monolayer culture using F10 with 10% fetal calf serum (vlv). When these cells were subcultured for 2 passages in F10 with 10% untreated hypopituitary serum, the fibroblasts, during the second passage, exhi...