Abstract
Data are conflicting regarding the results of treatment with growth hormone (GH) in patients with short stature and partial or transitory growth hormone deficiency. A retrospective analysis was performed to compare final adult height in GH-treated short boys to an untreated matched control group.
12 boys (group 1) had maximal GH-responses to insulin- and arginine stimulation tests between 4 – 10 ng/ml. At a mean chronological age (CA) of 13.09 ± 1.87 (SD) and a bone age (BA, Greulich-Pyle) of 10.25 ± 1.89 years GH-treatment was started for an average time of 2.44 ± 1.05 years (range 1.17 - 4.08 years). All patients had normal GH-responses following exercise when tested after discontinuation of therapy.
Comparison was made to an untreated control group (group 2) matched for BA (10.04 ± 1.80 years) and height at initial visit (136.00 ± 6.17 cm group 1 vs. 135.75 ± 7.86 cm group 2). Height predictions using the Bayley-Pinneau method were similar in group 1 (168.48 ± 9.14 cm) and group 2 (170.09 ± 6.73 cm). Final adult height was 164.15 ± 5.31 cm in group 1 and 168.87 ± 4.66 cm in group 2. We conclude that GH-treatment of transitory partial GH-deficiency does not increase final adult height.
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Brämaswig, J., Fasse, M., Wähning, A. et al. Effects of growth hormone treatment on final adult height in boys with short stature and transitory partial growth hormone deficiency. Pediatr Res 18, 1215 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198411000-00085
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198411000-00085