Effect of acute administration of insulin-like growth factor I in patients with Laron-type dwarfism.

Biosynthetic insulin-type growth factor I (IGF-I) was given as an intravenous bolus of 75 micrograms/kg to 9 patients with Laron-type dwarfism. Rapid onset of hypoglycaemia (-45% of basal level) was associated with a reduction in plasma insulin (-55% of basal level); thus, the lack of growth hormone receptors in this condition does not apply to IGF-I receptors and post-receptor pathways. Long-term treatment may therefore be beneficial in Laron-type dwarfism.