Endocrine profile and physical stature of children with Perthes disease

Children with Perthes disease have been thought to be of smaller stature than their peers. No reproducible evidence exists to demonstrate an endocrinopathy as the cause. This study reviewed 139 children with Perthes disease. Height and weight were recorded and compared with standardized growth charts. A blood sample was analyzed for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxin (T4), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Two urine samples were collected at 8 am and 8 pm within 24 hours. From these a cortisol/creatinine ratio was calculated. The results were compared with those from 40 healthy matched controls. No significant differences were found between the study or control children for levels of TSH, T4, IGF1, or cortisol. Review of the height and weight results revealed that the study children were of normal body habitus compared with the general pediatric population and do not undergo a period of growth acceleration following the active stages of the disease.