Effect of Growth Hormone Treatment on Growth Rates in Patients With Growth Hormone Deficiency, Idiopathic Short Stature, and Small for Gestational Age.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the response to growth hormone (GH) therapy of patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), idiopathic short stature (ISS), and small for gestational age (SGA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data of the 202 children who received GH treatment were analyzed retrospectively. Laboratory parameters, puberty stages, annual growth rates, body mass index (BMI), GH side effects, target height (TH), estimated adult height (EAH), and bone age (BA) were obtained during the GH treatment period.

RESULTS

Out of 202 cases, 121 were girls (59.9%) and 81 were boys. Among these cases, 69 (34.1%) had partial growth hormone deficiency (PGHD), 43 (21.2%) had complete growth hormone deficiency (CGHD), 37 (18.3%) had ISS, and 53 (26.2%) were born SGA. The average age at the onset of treatment was 11.2±2.67 years. The height standard deviation score (SDS), height velocity, and predicted adult height (PAH) of the patients with PGHD, CGHD, and SGA values were significantly higher than ISS patients at the end of the third year of a similar dose of GH treatment. The highest growth velocity was determined in the group with CGHD, while the lowest height velocity was found in patients with ISS during three years of the treatment.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that GH treatment is an efficient and reliable therapy method for improving short stature in patients with PGHD, CGHD, ISS, and SGA. We observed a higher growth rate in patients with PGHD, CGHD, and SGA than in the ISS group with standard dose GH treatment.