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Final height in short children born small for gestational age treated with growth hormone

Jovanna Dahlgren1, Kerstin Albertsson Wikland,

  • 1Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Institute for the Health of Women and Children, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, 416 85 Göteborg, Sweden. Jovanna.Dahlgren@vgregion.se

Pediatric Research
|December 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) treatment significantly improves final height in children born small for gestational age (SGA). Early intervention before puberty leads to greater height gains, with younger, shorter, and lighter children showing the best response.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Children born small for gestational age (SGA) often experience persistent short stature.
  • Growth hormone (GH) therapy is a potential intervention for improving growth in SGA children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term effects of GH treatment on final height in prepubertal children born SGA.
  • To determine factors influencing growth response to GH in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of 77 short, prepubertal children born SGA treated with daily GH (33 microg/kg).
  • Treatment initiated before puberty and continued to final height (FH).
  • Analysis of height gain relative to pretreatment projected height and correlation with baseline characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Overall mean height gain of 1.3 SD (9 cm) was observed.
  • Children treated for >2 years before puberty achieved a mean gain of 1.7 SD.
  • Earlier, shorter, and lighter children at treatment initiation showed significantly better catch-up growth.
  • Height gains achieved before puberty were maintained to final height.

Conclusions:

  • GH treatment is effective in improving final height for short children born SGA.
  • Early initiation of GH therapy before puberty maximizes height outcomes.
  • The beneficial effects of GH treatment are sustained to final height, with most SGA individuals reaching their target height.

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