[Growth hormone therapy in childhood. Certain indications]

The diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency is established on the basis of auxological and endocrinological studies. Without treatment, the final stature will be reduced; by way of treatment, administration of biosynthetic human growth hormone is required. Total and partial growth hormone deficiency can be distinguished, as also neurosecretory dysfunction of growth hormone secretion. Growth hormone can also be successfully administered to girls with the Ullrich-Turner syndrome, but the doses required are somewhat higher than in the case of growth hormone deficiency. Other forms of reduced stature might possibly benefit from growth hormone treatment, but the results of ongoing studies on this point must first be obtained.