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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
Published on: January 7, 2016
Isolated growth hormone deficiency: clinical entity?
A Bianchi1, A Giampietro, A Pontecorvi
1Department of Endocrinology, Catholic University, School of Medicine, 00168 Rome, Italy. abianchi69@yahoo.it
Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency (IGHD) is diagnosed through clinical assessment and biochemical tests. Therapeutic response to GH replacement is favorable, especially in severe cases of IGHD.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency (IGHD) is defined as growth hormone deficiency (GHD) without other pituitary hormone deficiencies.
- IGHD can be associated with or without organic lesions and presents differently based on age of onset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic criteria and classifications of IGHD in both childhood and adulthood.
- To discuss the therapeutic response to growth hormone (GH) replacement in IGHD patients.
Main Methods:
- Clinical and auxological assessment in children.
- Biochemical tests, including GH provocative tests and IGF-I levels in adults.
- Neuroradiological and genetic evaluations for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Childhood IGHD categorizes into organic, genetic, and idiopathic types.
- Adult IGHD includes prior childhood IGHD, acquired secondary to lesions/trauma, and idiopathic.
- Diagnosis in adults requires positive GH provocative tests and low IGF-I levels.
- Therapeutic response to GH replacement is favorable in both adult and childhood-onset IGHD, particularly in severe cases.
Conclusions:
- IGHD diagnosis requires a comprehensive approach combining clinical, biochemical, and imaging data.
- GH replacement therapy is effective for IGHD, with the best outcomes in patients with more severe deficiency.
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