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Final height in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency treated with a fixed dose of recombinant growth

Marianna Rachmiel1, Vanessa Rota, Eshetu Atenafu

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Hormone Research
|March 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A fixed dose of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) at 0.18 mg/kg/week is effective for children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Most patients achieved final adult height within the normal range, close to their midparental height.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth Hormone Therapy
  • Childhood Growth Disorders

Background:

  • Optimal recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) dosing for children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) remains debated.
  • Idiopathic GHD is a common cause of short stature in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the final adult height (FAH) in children with idiopathic GHD treated with a fixed rhGH dose of 0.18 mg/kg/week.
  • To determine if this fixed rhGH dose is sufficient for achieving near-normal adult height.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 96 patients with idiopathic GHD treated with rhGH since 1985 who reached FAH.
  • Analysis of treatment duration, age, height standard deviation scores (SDS), predicted adult height, and growth velocity.
  • Multiple regression analysis to identify factors influencing FAH SDS.

Main Results:

  • The mean FAH was -1.04 SDS, with 84% of patients reaching FAH within 2 SDS of the normal population range.
  • Females showed a greater gain in height relative to predicted height compared to males.
  • FAH SDS was positively associated with midparental height SDS, initial height SDS, and first-year growth velocity, and negatively with peak GH and bone age at initiation.

Conclusions:

  • A fixed rhGH dose of 0.18 mg/kg/week is sufficient for achieving a near-normal final adult height in children with idiopathic GHD.
  • The treatment resulted in an average FAH within -0.5 SDS of midparental height.
  • Individual factors like midparental height and initial growth response significantly influence treatment outcomes.

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