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Comparison of Final Heights of Growth Hormone-Treated Vs. Untreated Children with Idiopathic Growth Failure

Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14222

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: John G. Buchlis, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital, 219 Bryant Street, Buffalo, New York 14222.

Abstract

We measured adult heights (Ht) of 94 healthy GH-sufficient children (peak GH > 10 ng/mL, polyclonal RIA) whose Ht at presentation were more than 2 SD below the mean for chronological age, with normal weight-to-Ht ratios, normal body proportions, and pathologic growth velocity for chronological age. Group 1 (n = 36, 6 females) received standardized doses (0.3 mg/kg·week) of GH (mean duration = 41 months), while group 2 (n = 58, 17 females) received no treatment.

Our conclusion was that the mean final Ht SD score in the GH-treated group (-1.5) was significantly greater than in the untreated group (-2.1); P < .001. Genetic predisposition to short stature was evident in both groups: the midparental Ht SD score was -1.1 in the treated and -1.0 in the untreated group. Midparental Ht was met or exceeded by 42% of the GH-treated group but only 15% of the untreated group. Final Ht was not significantly different from predicted Ht, except from GH-treated girls, who exceeded their predicted Ht. Although the mean Ht gains (6.8 cm in girls and 3 cm in boys) were modest and variable, GH treatment provided significantly better Ht outcomes for the majority of children with idiopathic growth failure.

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