Bone age is the best predictor of growth response to recombinant human growth hormone in Turner's syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is approved for use in children with Turner's syndrome (TS) in most industrialized countries and is recommended in the recently issued guidelines. We determined the growth responses of girls who are treated with rhGH for TS, with an aim to identify the predictors of growth response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-six prepubertal girls with TS, documented by peripheral blood karyotype, were enrolled. All the patients received biosynthetic growth hormone therapy with a standard dose of 30 IU/m(2)/week. The calculated dose per week was divided for 6 days and given subcutaneously at night.

RESULTS

This study showed that rhGH therapy provides satisfactory auxological results. Bone age delay is to be considered as a predictive factor which may negatively influence the effect of rhGH therapy on final height. The growth velocity in the preceding year is the most important predictor of rhGH therapy response.

CONCLUSION

These observations help us to guide rhGH prescription, to reduce the risks and costs.