Oral Hydration During Growth Hormone Stimulation With Clonidine

The arginine–clonidine growth hormone (GH) stimulation test causes hypotension, requiring intravenous fluids to stabilize blood pressure (BP) and delaying departure from clinic. We hypothesized that oral hydration during the stimulation test would decrease need for intravenous fluids and shorten clinic stay. Children drank a diet electrolyte drink (10 ml/kg) on arrival to the test, which was repeated after clonidine. Fifteen children (7 girls) were tested without oral hydration, and 23 (6 girls) were tested with oral hydration (age range, 2–15 years). Compared with no oral hydration, intake of >13 ml/kg rarely required intravenous fluids, improved diastolic BP, and permitted discharge at the end of the GH test, with a higher BP.