[Effect of second somatonorm treatment in idiopathic growth hormone deficiency dwarfism].

Nine previously treated idiopathic growth hormone deficiency children were treated again with recombinant hGH for one year. The dosage and route of administration were the same as those in the previous treatment. The height velocity increased from 1.5 +/- 1.0 cm/year (mean +/- SD) to 9.2 +/- 1.2 cm/year. Compared with the height velocity (10.7 +/- 0.5 cm/a) in the first year treatment, it decreased in the second year (P less than 0.05). The results also showed that the effect was better with a dosage of 0.7 IU/kg/wk divided into 7 s.c. doses than with 0.5 IU/kg/wk divided into 3 i.m. doses. Eight of the 9 cases had low serum T4 after treatment, but no symptoms of hypothyroidism were seen. Anti-hGH antibody was observed in 2 cases, though it did not affect the height velocity. No other side effects were noticed during treatment.