[Growth hormone administration in the treatment of growth retardation in juvenile SLE--case history].
BACKGROUND
A chronic autoimmune inflammatory process and a long-term steroid therapy seems to underlie growth inhibition in children suffering from juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). The study objective was to assess the effect of one-year GH therapy on the growth rate in a 17-year-old girl with JSLE diagnosed when she was 11.


METHODS
Growth rate slowdown was observed when the girl was eleven (up to the age of 10 the growth was harmonious--50 centile). Since then, the mean gain in body height was approximately 1 cm/year. At the age of 16 (prior to the start of GH therapy), she was 148 cm high (below 3 centile), telarche II degrees, pubarche I degrees. The skeletal age corresponded to approximately 11 years according to the method of Greulich-Pyle. The girl underwent hormonal examinations in the Endocrinology Outpatient Department, including stimulatory tests of pituitary GH reserve, and based on the findings she was qualified for GH therapy, at a weekly dose of 30 IU. Within the 6-month-therapy, the patient grew by 7.5 cm, with the final outcome of 161 cm. The period of treatment was free of JSLE exacerbations or glucose tolerance disturbances. The only side effects included enhanced thirst and transitory oedema of the lower extremities observed in the first week of therapy. At the same time the patient's general feeling improved.


CONCLUSIONS
During a one-year GH therapy, the girl achieved catch-up growth, which was accompanied by body weight reduction and no significant side effects.
Górska
Anna
A
II Klinika Chorób Dzieci Dzieciecego Szpitala Klinicznego AM w Białymstoku. agorska50@wp.pl
Gardziejczyk
Maria
M
Urban
Mirosława
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone