Prolactin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hromone in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Basal plasma prolactin (hPRL) concentration is low, but the response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is within the normal range, in children with protein-carlorie malnutrition (PCM) before treatment. Treatment results in increased basal hPRL concentration and an increased response to TRH. The above findings contrast with normal or high basal TSH and the normal or exaggerated response to TRH provocation in untreated PCM. The reason for this divergence is obscure.