Abstract

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone insensitivity disorders have occurred in the past 15 years. We discuss the current status of endocrine and molecular evaluation, focusing on the pediatric age range. All the identified mutations of the growth hormone receptor are included. Treatment with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (rhIGF) 1 in classical cases is summarized and new targets for treatment are discussed, together with therapy using the complex formed between rhIGF1 and rhIGF-binding protein 3.

Author affiliations

1. MO Savage is Professor and Head of the Paediatric Endocrinology Unit; A David is a Research Fellow and Specialist in Adult Endocrinology; LA Metherell is a Postdoctoral Research Worker; AJL Clark is Professor of Medicine, Academic Head of the Department of Endocrinology and Head of the Molecular Endocrinology Unit; and C Camacho-Hübner is a Reader in Paediatric Endocrinology, all in the William Harvey Research Institute, St Bartholomew's Hospital and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK; KM Attie is Vice President Medical Affairs, Insmed Inc., Glen Allen, VA, USA.

Correspondence to: Martin O Savage¹ Department of Endocrinology, John Vane Research Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
Email: m.o.savage@qmul.ac.uk

Received 21 November 2005 | Accepted 8 March 2006