Somatotropic function in short stature: evaluation by integrated auxological and hormonal indices in 214 children. The Italian Collaborative Group of Neuroendocrinology

GH secretion was evaluated in 214 children and adolescenta (age, 5-16 yr; 160 males and 54 females) with short stature (height, ≤5th percentile) by assessing mean spontaneous overnight GH concentration (normal values, ≥3 and 3.9 μg/L for prepubertal and pubertal subjects, respectively) and responsiveness to stimulation with GH-releasing hormone combined with pyridoatigmine (normal peak values, ≥20 μg/L). Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was also measured