Effect of steep deprivation on overall 24 h growth-hormone secretion

After sleep deprivation, the blunting of the normal sleep related growth-hormone (GH) pulse is compensated during the day. Consequently, the amount of GH secreted during a 24 h period is similar whether or not a person has slept during the night. These results argue against the belief that sleep disorders in children can inhibit growth through a daily GH deficit.