High prevalence of eosinophilia in growth hormone-deficient children

Background: To determine the clinical significance of eosinophilia in growth-hormone (GH)-deficient children, a clinical study consisting of 72 children and adolescents (mean age 9 years and 6 months at diagnosis) with GH deficiency (GHD) was undertaken. Patients were treated with GH, along with supplementation for the combined deficiency in patients with multiple hormone deficiency. Methods: a complete blood count and hemogram with microscopic examination of a peripheral blood smear was performed. Results: Before treatment, differential eosinophil counts exceeded 5% in 30 subjects (41.7%) and absolute eosinophil counts were > 350/muL in 27 subjects (37.5%). Growth hormone therapy did not significantly affect eosinophil counts. There was an inverse relationship between absolute eosinophil count and peak GH value in response to the L-dopa stimulation test (n = 65; R-s = -0.252; P = 0.044). Conclusions: For the diagnosis of GHD, one should take into account that GH response to L-dopa stimulation can be selectively blunted in patients with eosinophilia.