title: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis as a complication of growth hormone therapy.
abstract: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a rare complication of growth hormone (GH) therapy. Here, we report three patients who developed SCFE during GH therapy. The first two patients had hypopituitarism and had started GH therapy at the age of 15 years 6 months and 13 years 9 months, respectively. SCFE developed 4 years and 1 year after GH therapy, respectively. The third patient had Prader-Willi syndrome with obesity and hypogonadism and began GH therapy at the age of 12 years and 11 months. SCFE developed 2 months after starting GH therapy. Pain over the hip joints or over the knees is an early sign of SCFE. Despite recommendation, none of the three patients continued GH therapy. A high index of suspicion during GH therapy in patients at high risk of SCFE is important for early diagnosis and appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shuo-Yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Wen-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Yin-Hsiu
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Jing-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wuh-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hwu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004839:Epiphyses, Slipped / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone