Changes in bone mineral density after discontinuation and early reinstitution of growth hormone (GH) in patients with childhood-onset GH deficiency.
We measured bone mass density (BMD) in 28 childhood-onset adult GHD patients (20 MPHD, 8 IGHD) treated with hGH until final height. Twelve were re-treated with hGH (0.06 U/kg/day three times per week) for 16-24 months and eight of them followed for up to 5 years. Age at start of the study was 23.6 +/- 5.7 years (mean +/- SD) and the interval since the first hGH treatment was 5.8 +/- 4.4 years Baseline BMD was 82% of young normal healthy subjects. Patients < 20 years had a lower BMD than those > 20 years (75 vs 87%;P = 0.004). In the 12 patients re-treated with GH, BMD was 5.3% above baseline at 6 months after treatment was stopped (P< 0.002), and remained so for 3.5 years in eight patients who completed follow-up. In conclusion, increases in BMD occur after cessation of growth, but continuation of hGH treatment after final height achievement may prevent the late osteopenia of patients with childhood-onset GHD.
Benbassat
C A
CA
Endocrine Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Wasserman
M
M
Laron
Z
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000172:deficiency
D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I