Growth hormone deficiency: analysis of 49 patients.

In a survey of 49 children idiopathic growth hormone deficiency, a sex ratio of 3 : 2 was found. Multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) was seen in 31 and isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) in 18 cases. The incidence of breech delivery was 32.5%; it occurred more frequently in MPHD than in IGHD. In one family there were two affected brothers whose birth weight was 4800 and 4900 g, respectively, and who were extremely retarded in growth. Screening of 594 children 1 to 9 years of age with cleft lip and palate was carried out; 1 child with growth hormone deficiency was detected. A study of the value of different thyroid hormones in the diagnosis of secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism showed that in spite of low free thyroxin concentrations the thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels are often normal. The discrepancy is probably due to a significantly higher plasma level of thyroxine-binding globulin demonstrated in children with hypopituitarism.