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Growth hormone deficiency presenting under age 2 years
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Early diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is crucial. GHD should be suspected in infants with persistent hypoglycemia and in boys with failure to thrive and microgenitalia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can manifest in early infancy.
- Infants with GHD may present with non-specific symptoms, delaying diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify early clinical signs of GHD in a national cohort.
- To improve the diagnostic approach for GHD in young children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a national cohort of 1600 patients with GHD.
- Categorization of presentation age and associated symptoms.
Main Results:
- 29 patients (1.8%) presented before age 2 years.
- 16 presented before 6 months with hypoglycemia (11), failure to thrive (4), or obesity (1).
- 13 presented between 6 months and 2 years with failure to thrive (12) or hypoglycemia (1).
- Hypoglycemia was often persistent and linked to multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies.
- Microgenitalia was common in affected boys.
Conclusions:
- GHD should be considered in infants with refractory hypoglycemia.
- Consider GHD in boys with failure to thrive and microgenitalia.
- Early recognition of these signs can lead to timely diagnosis and treatment.