Final height in children with growth hormone deficiency

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Growth Hormone Therapy
• Pituitary Disorders

Background:

• Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) are endocrine disorders affecting childhood growth.
• Assessing final height outcomes is crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy in these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze final height SDS in patients with isolated GHD and MPHD.
• To investigate factors influencing final height and treatment response, including the timing of puberty and bone age.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of final height data from 71 pediatric patients.
• Categorization of patients based on isolated GHD (partial/total) and MPHD (total GHD).
• Statistical comparison of final height standard deviation scores (SDS) and correlation analysis with clinical parameters.

Main Results:

• Mean final height SDS was -1.63 +/- 0.14, with no significant differences between GHD subtypes or between isolated GHD and MPHD.
• A significant difference between final and target height was observed in isolated GHD but not MPHD.
• Final height correlated with height at puberty onset; height gain SDS during treatment negatively correlated with bone age:chronological age ratio.

Conclusions:

• Both isolated GHD and MPHD result in similar final height deficits.
• The bone age:chronological age ratio at puberty onset is a key predictor of treatment-induced height gain.
• Individualized treatment strategies may be necessary, considering factors beyond diagnosis alone.