Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
Published on: January 7, 2016
Practical tools to identify short children born small-for-gestational-age eligible for rhGH treatment according to
Gianluca Tornese1, Flavia Pricci2, Maria Chiara Pellegrin3
1Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy. gianluca.tornese@burlo.trieste.it.
Insights
Many children born small for gestational age (SGA) are eligible for recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy but remain underdiagnosed. This article offers tools to improve identification and treatment for these short children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a proven therapy for children born small for gestational age (SGA).
- Despite a prevalence of 1:1800, children treated for SGA are significantly underrepresented compared to those with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
- Current data indicates a low treatment prevalence for SGA (0.37/100,000), suggesting underdiagnosis.
Discussion:
- Many short children born SGA are not identified or are misdiagnosed as GHD, missing crucial rhGH treatment opportunities.
- The discrepancy highlights a gap in clinical recognition and diagnostic pathways for SGA-related short stature.
- This underdiagnosis can lead to suboptimal growth outcomes for eligible children.
Key Insights:
- Underdiagnosis of SGA in short children is a significant issue, leading to missed rhGH treatment.
- The prevalence of SGA eligible for treatment is considerably higher than current treatment rates suggest.
- Accurate identification is crucial to ensure children receive appropriate growth-promoting therapies.
Outlook:
- Development of practical diagnostic tools is essential for better identification of SGA children.
- Increased awareness and targeted screening can improve rhGH treatment rates for SGA.
- Future research should focus on optimizing rhGH treatment protocols and long-term outcomes for SGA individuals.
Abstract:
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is an approved and effective treatment for short children born small for gestational age (SGA). Prevalence of children eligible for treatment as SGA is reported to be 1:1800. The latest data from the National Registry of Growth Hormone therapy (RNAOC) showed that the number of children treated with SGA indication is still small (prevalence 0.37/100,000) and these children are significantly less reported than those treated for growth hormone deficiency (GHD), although GHD prevalence is 1:4000-1:10,000. This means that many short children born SGA are still not properly identified, and therefore not treated with rhGH, or misdiagnosed as GHD. This article provides some practical tools for the identification of children eligible for rhGH treatment.
