[deficiency of growth hormone in children. Re-evaluation after therapeutic completion].
OBJECTIVE
To assess GH secretion in young adults treated with GH replacement therapy in childhood.


METHODS
From the 38 patients who concluded treatment with GH, we studied 20 (52.6%), 9 girls and 11 boys. Thirteen had Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)-65%, while 7 had Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (MPHD)-35%. The patients were retested within 6 months to 6 years after completing GH therapy. The mean age (+/- SD) at retesting was 18.1 +/- 2.6 years for those with GHD and 20.8 +/- 2.8 for those with MPHD. At reassessment we performed two provocative tests: insulin tolerance test (ITT) and clonidine test.


RESULTS
Seven of the 20 patients retested, retained GH deficiency. Of the 13 patients with GHD, only one maintained the deficiency, while of the 7 patients with MPHD, 6 maintained the deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
Young adults with GH deficiency treated with this hormone should be retested in order to identify those who are truly GH insufficient adults and may benefit from replacement therapy.
Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra.
T
T
Martins
M
M
Bastos
P
P
Leitão
L
L
Barros
L
L
Ruas
C
C
Batista
S
S
Paiva
M
M
Carvalheiro
M M
MM
Ruas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000172:deficiency
D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone