Endogenous growth hormone (GH) excess results in disturbances of calcium, phosphorus and uric acid metabolism. Little is known about the effects of exogenous growth hormone on uric acid metabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of GH therapy on the level of uric acid in blood. The medical records of 46 randomly selected patients treated with GH for correction of short stature were reviewed. The age of patients ranged from 4.0 to 17.0 years. The GH used was either Protropin(Genentech,Inc.) or Humatrope(Eli Lilly,Co) in an average dose of 0.3mg/kg/week. The serum uric acid was 3.4±0.4 mg/dl prior to start of therapy. Following GH therapy, six (2 girls, 4 boys) out of 46 patients [(13%); 3-23%, 95% CI)] showed levels of serum uric acid beyond the normal range for age. The renal function was normal in these patients. The mean duration of GH treatment was 5.2±3.1 years in the group with elevated uric acid versus 2.3±1.8 years(p=0.001) in patients with normal levels. In the entire GH-treated group, mean elevation of uric acid was 1.4±1.4 following therapy (p=0.0001) and correlated with mean duration of therapy (2.7±2.1 years; r=0.5, p=0.001). These data show that serum uric acid levels rise following GH therapy and is related to duration of therapy. Pharmacological doses of GH therapy may result in metabolic disturbances as seen in acromegaly. Further long term urinary and blood studies would be necessary to see if patients on high dose GH (0.3mg/kg/week) are at risk to develop hyperuricemia and its complications.