title: Growth hormone deficiency in the transition period: body composition and gonad function.
abstract: Recombinant GH therapy is normally administered to GH-deficient children in order to achieve a satisfactory height - the main target during childhood and adolescence. However, the role of GH does not end once final height has been reached, but continues during the so-called transition period. In this phase of life, the body undergoes several changes, both physical and psychological, that culminate in adulthood. During this period, GH has a part in numerous metabolic functions. These include the lipid profile, where it increases HDL and reduces LDL, with the global effect of cardiovascular protection. It also has important effects on body composition (improved muscle strength and lean body mass and reduced body fat), the achievement of proper peak bone density, and gonad maturation. Retesting during the transition period, involving measurement of IGF-I plus a provocative test (insulin tolerance test or GHRH + arginine test), is thus necessary to establish any persistent GH deficiency requiring additional replacement therapy. The close cooperation of the medical professionals involved in the patient's transition from a pediatric to an adult endocrinologist is essential. The aim of this review is to point out the main aspects of GH treatment on body composition, metabolic and gonad functions in the transition period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Applied Biotechnologies, Politechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. g.balercia@univpm.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balercia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovannini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paggi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spaziani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tahani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boscaro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radicioni
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006066:Gonads / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone