title: A pilot study of growth hormone administration in boys with predicted adult short stature and near-ending growth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The growth-promoting effect of starting recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) at the time of near-ending growth has not been studied in sexually mature boys who will have idiopathic short stature (ISS) as adults because it is believed that such an advanced stage of puberty would preclude favorable results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  1) To explore the effects of starting rhGH administration at time of near-ending growth in boys with ISS. 2) To search for predictors of response to rhGH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen boys aged 15.5 ± 1 years terminating puberty were growing at a rate < 2 cm/6 months towards a predicted adult height (PAH) <-2.5 SDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants received 0.50 ± 0.06 mg/kg · wk of rhGH according to a target-to-treat protocol. When growth became less than 0.5 cm in 3 months or when height has reached 169 cm, rhGH was ceased. Testosterone, growth velocity (GV), height, serum IGF-1, bone age (BA) at hand-wrist and knee score were measured at onset; IGF-1 and height were monitored every 3 months. A formula for PAH was developed. Height increment (HI, adult height-starting height) and height gain (HG, adult height-PAH) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following rhGH administration for 11.1 ± 4.8 months, GV-SDS increased from -2.5 ± 1.7 to 3.5 ± 4.3 (P = 2 × 10(-4)), HI = 8.5 ± 3.7 cm, HG = 6.8 ± 4.8 cm and adult height was -1.8 ± 0.9 SDS, compared to a PAH of -2.9 ± 0.6 SDS (P = 4 × 10(-4)). Knee score (P = 2 × 10(-3)), GV at rhGH onset (P = 8 × 10(-3)) and rhGH dose (P = 8 × 10(-3)) were identified as predictors of HI and HG, but BA was not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that 1) a short period of rhGH administration can increase true adult height significantly in boys with ISS at time of near-ending growth; and 2) knee score rather than BA should be used to identify rhGH responders. These preliminary observations await confirmation by larger randomized trials.
authors: AP-HP, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris Sud University, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
authors: Anya
authors: A
authors: Rothenbuhler
authors: Biomathematics Team, InsermU986, Pincus Building, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris Sud University, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
authors: Baptiste
authors: B
authors: Ormières
authors: AP-HP, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris Sud University, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: Kalifa
authors: AP-HP, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris Sud University, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France; Biomathematics Team, InsermU986, Pincus Building, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris Sud University, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France. Electronic address: pierre.bougneres@inserm.fr.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Bougnères
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D057238:Growth Charts; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone
keywords: Boys; End of puberty; Growth hormone; Idiopathic short stature