title: The effect of two different GH dosages on final height and bone geometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Growth hormone (GH) has a strong positive influence on bone, stimulating both bone elongation and increase in size. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two different GH dosages on final height and bone geometry in two groups of GH-deficient children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 121 children (86 m, 35f). Group 1 (77 patients) treated with GH at a mean dose of 0.16 mg/kg/week and group 2 (44 patients) at 0.3 mg/kg/week. Bone geometry was evaluated at final height from a digitalized X-ray of the left hand considering the following parameters: metacarpal index (MI), cross-sectional area (CSA), cortical area (CA) and medullary area (MA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, group 2 was shorter than group 1 (-1.54 vs -1.01 SDS; p < 0.005), while at final height there was no difference. Height gain was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1 (1.62 vs 1.13 SDS; p < 0.001). Bone geometry: MI was significantly greater in group 2 (0.62 vs 0.55; p < 0.001) as well as CA (46.87 vs 42.69 cm(2); p < 0.005), while MA was significantly lower in group 2 (8.48 vs 11.65 cm(2); p < 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher GH doses elicit a significantly greater statural gain and a greater bone cortical area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital, via Lorenz Boehler 5, Bolzano, 39100, Italy. fiorenzolupi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fiorenzo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lupi
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Therapeutics Department, Pediatrics and Adolescentology Unit, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia, 27100, Italy. mauro.bozzola@unipv.it.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozzola
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Regional Hospital, via Lorenz Boehler 5, Bolzano, 39100, Italy. silvia.longhi@sabes.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.affiliation: Life Health and Environmental Sciences Department, Pediatrics Unit, University of L'Aquila, via Vetoio Coppito, L'Aquila, 67100, Italy. giovanni.farello@cc.univaq.it.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farello
authors.affiliation: Marienklinik, via Claudia De Medici 2, Bolzano, 39100, Italy. giorgio.radetti@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radetti
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone