[Pituitary function and growth in children under treatment for leukemia (author's transl)].

The effect of cranial irradiation with doses of 2,400 and 4,800 rad on the pituitary function of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was studied. The plasma growth hormone level after arginine simulations was normal in 13 out of 15 children. The rise of TSH after TRH stimulation and the metyrapone test were also normal. The growth of 40 children during an observation period of 3 or more years was also normal.