Abstract
The usefulness of growth variables for evaluation of therapy can best be appraised when final height is reached. 13 GH-deficient patients were treated with HGH for a mean duration of 5.7 yrs reaching a mean final height of 150.2 cm in 3 females and 160.4 cm in 10 males corresponding to a mean of −1.97 SD of their sex-corrected mid-parent height (target height). This final result did not correlate with height deficit and age at onset of therapy; a significant correlation, however, was found with bone age retardation (Spearman rank test, p<0.01). The index of potential height (SD of height related to bone age) varied only slightly under therapy. Of all currently used height prediction methods only Tanner's bone age-based equations (TBA) mirrored extrapolated height if no treatment were given. HGH therapy increased height prediction TBA by +25.2 cm (15.1-58.8) after 4 yrs of therapy. Addition of sex-hormones or spontaneous puberty similarly increased prediction TBA by +3.8 cm after 2 yrs of therapy. This favours a well-timed initiation of puberty thus giving a chance for social integration.
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Schwarz, H., Joss, E. & Zuppinger, K. Effect of hormonal therapy on growth variables in hypopituitary patients followed up to final height. Pediatr Res 12, 1089 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197811000-00049