Individualization of growth hormone therapy.
Short children born small for gestational age account for 20% of patients with short stature. These children should be investigated individually to identify treatable causes of their short stature and any associated neurodevelopmental problems. Randomized controlled growth hormone therapy trials demonstrate growth acceleration in childhood and improved adult height. The individualization of therapy is increasingly possible with insight from the available prediction models. These identify the main modifiable factors such as dose of growth hormone and age at the start of therapy. Non-modifiable factors including target height standard deviation score (SDS), weight SDS at the start of therapy, and first year response to therapy also play a significant role.
Centre of Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK. l.b.johnston@qmul.ac.uk
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D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006257:Head / Q000254:growth & development; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D010597:Pharmacogenetics
D019382:Human Growth Hormone