The Effect of Growth Hormone on Patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency and Idiopathic Short Stature

Purpose:This study was designed to evaluate the effect of growth hormones on children with growth hormone deficiency(GHD) or idiopathic short stature(ISS). Methods:Between January 1988 to July 2003, 45 patients(M26, F19) with GHD and 24 patients (M13, F11) with ISS were enrolled in this study. Height standard deviation score(Ht SDS) for chronological age(CA) and Ht SDS for bone age(BA) were obtained for each patient upon diagnosis and after growth hormone(0.1-0.15 IU/kg) was injected subcutaneously daily. Results:Ht SDS for CA was -2.060.23 before treatment, -1.600.21 at one year, -1.520.23 at two years, -1.610.28 at three years, -1.600.31 at four years, and -1.540.32 at five years, showing a statistically significant increase for five years(P0.55 before treatment, -1.440.66 at one year, -0.141.06 at two years, -0.681.27 at three years, -1.160.96 at four years, and -1.370.94 at five years, in ISS, showing a statistically significant increase for the first three years(P0.19 before treatment, -0.390.18 at one year, -0.320.20 at two years, -0.430.22 at three years, -0.390.19 at four years, and -0.320.22 at five years, not showing a decrease, and the decrease in ISS was statistically not significant(P0.05). Conclusion:Both groups exhibited significant increase in Ht SDS through growth hormone treatment, proving its efficacy. As for the evaluation of growth-related factors, the 1st year increase of Ht SDS was the most important factor in evaluation of growth effect in both groups. However, further study is required to investigate the effect of GH therapy on ISS. (Korean J Pediatr 2004;47: 310-318)