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[deficiency of growth hormone in children. Re-evaluation after therapeutic completion]
T Martins1, M Bastos, P Leitão
1Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra.
Objective:
To assess GH secretion in young adults treated with GH replacement therapy in childhood.
Patients And Methods:
From the 38 patients who concluded treatment with GH, we studied 20 (52.6%), 9 girls and 11 boys. Thirteen had Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)-65%, while 7 had Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (MPHD)-35%. The patients were retested within 6 months to 6 years after completing GH therapy. The mean age (+/- SD) at retesting was 18.1 +/- 2.6 years for those with GHD and 20.8 +/- 2.8 for those with MPHD. At reassessment we performed two provocative tests: insulin tolerance test (ITT) and clonidine test.
Results:
Seven of the 20 patients retested, retained GH deficiency. Of the 13 patients with GHD, only one maintained the deficiency, while of the 7 patients with MPHD, 6 maintained the deficiency.
Conclusion:
Young adults with GH deficiency treated with this hormone should be retested in order to identify those who are truly GH insufficient adults and may benefit from replacement therapy.