ESPE Abstracts (2014) 82 P-D-3-2-828

ESPE2014 Poster Category 3 Growth (1) (13 abstracts)

Growth Response After 1 Year of GH Treatment in Children Born Small for Gestational (SGA) Without GH Deficiency: our Experience

Gisella Garbetta , Gabriella Pozzobon , Sara Osimani , Chiara Damia , Maria Piera Ferrarello , Andrea Voto , Giulia Pruccoli , Cristina Partenope , Giovanna Weber & Giuseppe Chiumello


Department of Pediatrics, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy


Background: Many studies have shown that GH therapy can increase final height in children born SGA. Adult height and growth velocity can be improved in these subjects even if there is not a deficiency of endogenous GH (GHD).

Objective and hypotheses: We aimed to analyze growth response after 1 year of GH treatment in children born SGA without GH deficiency.

Method: Ten patients (six M, four F) born SGA (according to Gagliardi et al) treated with GH for 1 year (mean GH dose: 0.2 mg/kg per week) were included. Eight patients were prepubertal, two patients were pubertal stage 2 (according to Tanner). One patient showed clinical aspects suggestive for Silver–Russell syndrome. Two patients were late preterm (34 and 35 GA). GH stimulation tests excluded GH deficiency.

Results: Mean age at start of treatment was 8.5±3.4 years. Mean height at start was −3.17±0.49 SDS. After 1 year of treatment, change in height SDS (ΔHtSDS) was +0.50±0.22 SDS. Mean height velocity improved from −1.5±0.92 SDS to +2.8±2.24 SDS. Mean height corrected for mid-parental height at start was −2.05±0.60 SDS, after treatment was −1.55±0.69 SDS.

Conclusion: GH treatment in children born SGA without GHD improves height and height velocity after 1 year. When anamnestic and auxological data are suggestive of growth impairment in SGA, GH treatment must be started as soon as possible to optimize growth outcomes.

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