Early initiation of growth hormone treatment: influence on final height.

Retrospective growth data for 34 hGH deficient patients who had been treated for at least 3 years with hGH were analysed in a Belgian multicentre study. Final height was related to target height and was usually below it, but it was not determined by chronological or bone ages, bone age delay, height velocity before or during therapy, nor by duration of treatment. Total height gain during long-term substitution with hGH is inversely related to chronological and bone ages at the start of therapy, and is positively related to the duration of therapy. Early diagnosis of hGH deficiency is thus important, as it allows catch-up growth to optimal height before puberty, which in turn results in a good pubertal growth spurt.