Growth hormone: do we have a national perspective of indications for its use?
OBJECTIVE
Presentation of indications for growth hormone use in children, from the view of physicians practising in Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
A questionnaire containing a list of common possible indications of growth hormone use was collected from 52 physicians practising in Saudi Arabia who were attending a didactic endocrinology course.


RESULTS
All (100%) physicians considered growth hormone deficiency to be an indication. Sixty four and 29% considered Turner's syndrome and chronic renal failure to be indications. Other indications included Russell-Silver syndrome in 23%, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets in 10%, Achondroplasts in 10%, Sickle cell anemia in 10% and Bartter's syndrome in 2%. Genetic and constitutional short stature were considered in 17 and 19%. Only 65% did not advocate the use of growth hormone for short non-growth hormone-deficient children.


CONCLUSIONS
Indications of growth therapy are not clearly defined in Saudi Arabia. It is indicated to define this by a clear, national decided criteria which should take into consideration the internationally approved indications, availability and cost of this hormone.
Al-Herbish
A S
AS
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 90533, Riyadh 11623, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. asalherbish@yahoo.com
Al-Jurayyan
N A
NA
Abobakr
A M
AM
Al-Nuaim
A A
AA
D000130:Achondroplasia; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001477:Bartter Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007015:Hypophosphatemia, Familial / Q000150:complications; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000379:methods; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000150:complications
D013006:Growth Hormone