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Quality of life and self-esteem in children treated for idiopathic short stature

Nicolet C M Theunissen1, Gerdine A Kamp, Hendrik M Koopman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 29, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone treatment did not improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) or self-esteem in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS). Pediatricians observed improvements, but children and parents reported no significant changes or even worsening HRQOL.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Idiopathic short stature (ISS) affects children's well-being.
  • Growth hormone (GH) treatment is a common intervention for ISS.
  • The impact of GH on quality of life in these children requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effect of growth hormone treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and self-esteem in children with ISS.
  • To compare the perceptions of children, parents, and pediatricians regarding HRQOL changes during GH treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 36 prepubertal children with ISS.
  • Children were assigned to either a treatment or control group.
  • HRQOL and self-esteem were assessed using validated questionnaires over two years by children, parents, and pediatricians.

Main Results:

  • Children with ISS generally did not exhibit lower HRQOL than the norm population, except for social functioning.
  • Pediatricians reported HRQOL improvements in the treatment group.
  • Children and parents reported no significant changes or even decreased HRQOL and self-esteem in the treatment group compared to the control group.
  • Observed changes were more related to satisfaction with height than growth itself.

Conclusions:

  • The study did not support the hypothesis that growth hormone treatment improves HRQOL in children with ISS.
  • Discrepancies exist between clinician, parent, and child perspectives on treatment outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to understand the complex factors influencing HRQOL in children with ISS undergoing GH treatment.
Abstract

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