Growth retardation and reduced growth hormone secretion in a boy with achalasia.

UNLABELLED

A 15-year-old boy with achalasia of the oesophagus is described in whom growth retardation was the presenting and misleading symptom. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I secretion were decreased but GH therapy was unsuccessful. After pneumatic dilatation of the oesophageal sphincter catch up growth occurred.

CONCLUSION

In children with inconclusive results of GH stimulation tests and unresponsiveness to GH treatment, rare causes of growth retardation due to malnutrition or malabsorption should be considered.