Long-term results of GH therapy in GH-deficient children treated before 1 year of age.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term effects of GH therapy in early diagnosed GH-deficient patients treated before 1 year of age.


METHODS
We studied all 59 patients (33 males) recorded by Association France-Hypophyse and treated with GH (0.50+/-0.15 IU/kg (S.D.) per week) before 1 year of age. Clinical presentation and growth parameters under GH treatment were analyzed.


RESULTS
Neonatal manifestations of hypopituitarism were frequent: hypoglycemia (n=50), jaundice (n=25) and micropenis (n=17/33). Although birth length was moderately reduced (-0.9+/-1.4), growth retardation at diagnosis (5.8+/-3.8 months) was severe (-3.5+/-1.9 standard deviation scores (SDS)). Fifty patients (85%) had thyrotropin and/or corticotropin deficiency. After a mean duration of GH therapy of 8.0+/-3.6 years, change in height SDS was +3.11+/-2.06 S.D., exceeding 4 SDS in 19 patients. Only 9 patients (15%) did not reach a height of -2 S.D. for chronological age and 20 patients (34%) exceeded their target height. Pretreatment height SDS was independently associated with total catch-up growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional doses of GH allow normalization of height in patients with early GH deficiency and treatment.
Huet
F
F
Service de Pédiatrie 1, Hôpital d'Enfants, Dijon, France.
Carel
J C
JC
Nivelon
J L
JL
Chaussain
J L
JL
D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D006728:Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone