Growth hormone treatment in children.
GH therapy increases final height in GH-deficient children. Short-term growth acceleration is also seen in children with many other causes of shortness. This review covers the diagnosis of GH-deficiency (GHD) and the details of GH treatment and its long-term results in GH-deficient patients and in those with other conditions, including "idiopathic short stature" and Turner syndrome. The efficacy of GH in enhancing adult stature in children with diagnoses other than GHD and Turner syndrome has not been established, and the only other indication for which it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is chronic renal insufficiency. Broadening of the indications for GH use in childhood can only occur if supported by the results of carefully performed clinical trials. (Trends Endocrinol Metab 1997;8:92-97). (c) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.
Gertner
J M
JM
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY 10021USA.