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Does growth hormone treatment influence pubertal development in short children?
Anna-Karin Albin1, Carina Ankarberg-Lindgren, Torsten Tuvemo
1Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy-University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. anna-karin.albin@skane.se
Hormone Research in Paediatrics
|September 17, 2011
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) treatment did not alter the timing of puberty onset or progression in short children. However, GH therapy appeared to increase testicular volume in boys and prolong pubertal duration in girls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Growth Hormone Therapy
- Puberty Development
Background:
- Short stature in children often necessitates medical intervention.
- Growth hormone (GH) is a key regulator of growth and development, including puberty.
- The impact of GH treatment on pubertal timing and progression requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on the initiation and progression of puberty in short children.
- To determine if GH therapy influences the age of pubertal onset, maturation, and duration.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, controlled study involving 124 short children.
- Children received GH treatment at two different dosages or were controls.
- Puberty staging and auxological measurements were performed every 3 months; sex-steroid levels were assessed every 6 months.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in the timing of puberty onset or final maturation between GH-treated groups and controls.
- GH treatment did not accelerate pubertal development in either sex.
- A significant increase in pubertal duration was noted in GH-treated girls, and a greater maximum mean testicular volume was observed in GH-treated boys.
Conclusions:
- Growth hormone treatment does not influence the age of puberty onset or accelerate pubertal development in short children.
- GH therapy may lead to increased testicular volume in boys.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the long-term effects of GH on pubertal progression.
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