The aim of this study was to evaluate the centrations in 20-minute blood samples colgrowth and growth hormone (GH) secretion, as lected over a 24-hour period. The plasma GH assessed by the rate and pattern of secretion, in concentrations were transformed into GH secrepatients in remission from non-Hodgkin's tion rates by means of a deconvolution techlymphoma (NHL) who had been treated with nique. Fourier time series analysis was applied corticosteroids and intense chemotherapy.
to determine possible disturbances of rhyth-None of the patients had received cranial irradi-micity of the GH secretion. The GH secretion ation. Twelve children were investigated yearly rate and the pulsatile pattern of secretion in the by taking 24-hour GH profiles starting 1 year NHL patients were similar to those of the referfrom the time of diagnosis. The mean age at ence population of pubertal matched healthy onset of the disease was 7.5 years. Another 12 controls. There was no influence of the age at young adults were studied in a cross-sectional diagnosis or of the time from diagnosis of NHL manner 4.1-21.3 years (mean, 9.0 years) after on the GH secretion rate. Growth impairment diagnosis of NHL. The mean age at onset of in children with a malignant disease treated only the disease was 10.7 years. The median height with steroids and chemotherapy is therefore velocity was significantly decreased during the probably not caused by disturbed GH secretion, 1st year following diagnosis (standard deviation but rather by direct interference with bone scores [SDS] Ϫ0.15, P Ͻ .001), especially dur-growth of the cytotoxic drugs used. There was ing the first 3 months (SDS Ϫ0.75, P Ͻ .001) no significant influence on weight gain during when the most intense treatment was given.
the treatment period so an indirect effect of che-During the 2nd year height velocity was still motherapy on bone growth through interference somewhat reduced (SDS Ϫ0.13, P Ͻ .001).
with adequate nutrition seems unlikely. How-However, there was no reduction in final at-ever, GH secretion was not evaluated during the tained height. Spontaneous GH secretion, in period of growth retardation, and therefore a terms of both secretory rate and pulsatile pattern, transient deficiency was not excluded. was evaluated by measuring integrated GH con-