Response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation in young psychotic children: a pilot study.

(1) To test the hypothesis that CNS dysfunction, specifically in the hypothalamus, exists in young psychotic children, synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 400 μg, was given intravenously to ten patients, ages 2$\text{1}\text{2}$ yr to 7 yr 7 months. (2) Timed venous samples were obtained for determination of the plasma triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and in some patients, of prolactin, by radioimmunoassay. (3) The responses were compatible with, but not diagnostic of, hypothalamic disease in most of the subjects. (4) It is suggested that a genetic vulnerability and/or associated pre- or perinatal insult to the CNS may result in a variety of abnormalities, which include behavioral and neuroendocrine parameters.