Treatment of growth hormone insufficiency.

Growth during childhood is growth hormone dependent and is modulated predominantly by the amplitude of the growth hormone secretory bursts while the frequency of these episodes remains relatively constant at 180-200 min. Optimisation of therapy for children with growth hormone insufficiency requires a clear definition of the dose of the growth hormone required to promote growth which in severely insufficient children is at least 20 U/m2 body surface area/week. The frequency of administration of growth hormone is equally important in determining response, and interpretation of any result of therapy condition that is being treated also needs to be carefully considered. Children with Turner's syndrome will not have the same growth response as children who have classical growth hormone insufficiency.