The continuum of growth hormone-IGF-I axis defects causing short stature: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
The growth hormone (GH)-IGF-I axis is essential for normal foetal and childhood growth. Defects at different sites in the axis frequently result in short stature which may compromise adult height. We describe a continuum of clinically relevant abnormalities from GH deficiency through to GH resistance and discuss the implementation and interpretation of investigations. We consider appropriate therapy for patients with abnormal auxology and subnormal adult height prognosis, highlighting new data to clarify therapeutic choices leading to optimal clinical outcome.
Savage
Martin O
MO
Department of Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the Royal London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK. m.o.savage@qmul.ac.uk
Burren
Christine P
CP
Rosenfeld
Ron G
RG
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001827:Body Height / Q000235:genetics*; D003940:Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I