[The use of a biosynthetic human growth hormone in children with a growth hormone deficiency].

Ten growth hormone deficient patients (GHDP) (six girls & four boys) with chronological age range six-15 years old, received recombinant human growth hormone (GH) (0.6 UI/kg/week) in three subcutaneous injections per week over 14 months. A complete physical examination was performed monthly; thyroid hormones concentrations every two months, as well as, bone age every four months were determined. Growth velocity was higher in the first six months' treatment (12.73 +/- 1.65 cm/yr vs 10.6 +/- 1.67 cm/yr; previous growth velocity 3.76 +/- 2.4 cm/yr). The variables with better prognosis were: lower previous growth velocity, lower chronological age (< 12 ys), lower bone age (< 8 ys), higher BMI than ideal; and higher acid alkaline phosphate during treatment. Two of ours patients developed biochemical hypothyroidism during the treatment period, and they needed hormonal substitutive therapy. With GH treatment a harmonious growth is obtain with bone age progress according chronological age. The height of GHDP treated with GH do not approaches the height range of their parents, probably due the time of treatment. In the follow-up of all patients treated with GH is important to realize periodical laboratories screenings looking for another hypothalamic and/or hypophyseal deficiencies.