Difficulties in patient management associated with the transition period

The European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) held a consensus workshop in Manchester, UK, in December 2003 to discuss issues relating to the care of growth hormone (GH)-treated patients in the transition from paediatric to adult life. Aspects under consideration included the definition of transition, the process of delivery of transitional care, the exact need to reassess pituitary status after completion of growth and puberty in teenagers who have received GH treatment during childhood, the most appropriate biochemical definition of severe GH deficiency (GHD) in the transitional period, and the factors influencing both the decision to reinstitute treatment and also the timing and dosage schedule when GH treatment is reinstituted.