title: Clinical inquiries: can recombinant growth hormone effectively treat idiopathic short stature?
abstract: Yes, treatment can increase a child's final height. Injections of recombinant human growth hormone (rGH) at least 3 times a week for 4 to 6 years add 3.7 to 7.5 cm to final height in children between 8 and 16 years of age with idiopathic short stature (strength of recommendation [SOR]: 2 small, low-quality, randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). This population comprises children who are otherwise physically and developmentally normal with a height standard deviation score (SDS) of <or=-2.0--comparable to the bottom 2.5% percentile of height--and an adequate response to growth hormone stimulation testing.
authors.affiliation: Moses Cone Family Medicine Residency Program, Greensboro, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Von Fange
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McDiarmid
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mackler
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zolotor
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone