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[Evaluation of final height in patients with pituitary growth hormone deficiency who were treated with growth hormone
Maria Korpal-Szczyrska1, Bohdana Dorant, Halina Kamińska
1Klinika Pediatrii, Hematologii, Onkologii i Endokrynologii AM w Gdańsku, Gdańsk.
Insights
Children with growth hormone deficiency treated with growth hormone replacement therapy achieved normal adult height. This treatment effectively improved height velocity and reached target height ranges for the general population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Growth Hormone Therapy
- Childhood-Onset Conditions
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) therapy is established for children with pituitary GH deficiency.
- Treatment improves height velocity and helps achieve normal adult height ranges.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate final adult height in patients with childhood-onset GH deficiency after completing treatment.
- Assess outcomes for individuals remaining GH deficient in adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Study included 21 children (12 boys, 9 girls) with diagnosed GH deficiency.
- Treatment involved subcutaneous GH at 0.17 mg/kg/week for 7 days.
- Patients included those with isolated GHD and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies.
Main Results:
- Initial GH deficiency confirmed by low peak serum GH levels (2.8+/-2.8 mU/l in insulin tolerance test).
- Treatment improved height significantly, with height SDS changing from -4.03+/-0.91 to -0.69+/-1.01.
- Final height SDS (-0.54+/-0.93) showed no significant difference from target height SDS.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric GH deficiency treated with GH replacement achieves normal adult height.
- Treatment ensures final height aligns with target height and general population norms.
Background:
Growth hormone (GH) therapy has been used for children with pituitary GH deficiency. It resulted in improving their height velocity and achieving an adult height in the normal range for the general population.
Objectives:
To evaluate the final height in childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency patients who had already completed treatment and were still GH deficient in adult life.
Material And Methods:
21 children (12 boys and 9 girls) diagnosed as GH deficiency and treated with growth hormone to final height at doses of 0.17 mg/kg/week (0.5 IU/kg/week) subcutaneously for 7 days. There were 7 patients with isolated GHD and 14 with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies.
Results:
At the diagnosis peak serum GH concentrations were 2.8+/-2.8 mU/l in insulin tolerance test and 3.3+/-2.2 mU/l in clonidine test. Reconfirmation of the GH deficiency diagnosis after growth hormone treatment revealed a peak serum GH 1.77+/-1.2 mU/l in insulin tolerance test. Mean chronological age of the patients at the beginning of treatment was 10.29+/-3.57 years and was significantly higher in boys. Patients had completed a course of treatment in the chronological age of 17.85+/-1.97 years. Children began treatment with mean bone age 7.24+/-3.57 years and ended with 15+/-0.97 years. After the treatment a significant improvement in height was shown. Height SDS at the beginning of the treatment was -4.03+/-0.91 and -0.69+/-1.01 after the treatment. There was no difference between final height and target height (-0.54+/-0.93 SDS) in our patients.
Conclusions:
Children with pituitary growth hormone deficiency who were treated with growth hormone replacement achieve a final height in the normal range for the general population and their target height.
