Arginine test

Purpose

To investigate somatotropic function in growth retardation by using arginine to stimulate growth hormone secretion.

Subject preparation

Fasting for 12 hours and at rest for 30 minutes (except for babies of under one year and hypoglycaemic subjects who should be given 200 ml of milk at 5 a.m.).

Product

Arginine hydrochlorate (Arginine, Veyron®) injection (400 ml bottle containing 25 grams of arginine).

Dose

• Adults: 20 g (i.e. 320 ml).
• Children: 0.6 g/kg body weight or 20 g/m2 body surface area (do not exceed 20 g, or 320 ml).

Protocol

• Commence the perfusion of normal saline 30 minutes before the challenge.
• Samples (dry tubes) at the time points: -15 min (T-15) and 0 (T0).
• Slow IV perfusion (over 30 min) of the correct dose of arginine.
• Draw blood (dry tubes) according to the physician’s instructions or every 30 min from the beginning of perfusion for two hours.

Samples

After centrifugation, freeze serum at –20°C.

Assay

Growth Hormone (GH).

Side effects

Risk of nausea and sometimes vomiting.