Clinical inquiries: can recombinant growth hormone effectively treat idiopathic short stature?

Yes, treatment can increase a child's final height. Injections of recombinant human growth hormone (rGH) at least 3 times a week for 4 to 6 years add 3.7 to 7.5 cm to final height in children between 8 and 16 years of age with idiopathic short stature (strength of recommendation [SOR]: 2 small, low-quality, randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). This population comprises children who are otherwise physically and developmentally normal with a height standard deviation score (SDS) of <or=-2.0--comparable to the bottom 2.5% percentile of height--and an adequate response to growth hormone stimulation testing.