ESPE Abstracts

Background: If children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are stunt after birth, they will not have the desired height. Short stature is not fatal but affects personality and social and physical development of children.

Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of human GH on growth rate of short stature children with history of low birth weight.

Method: This study was conducted on 148 children (3 – 13 years old), 106 girls and 42 boys, with diagnosis of IUGR and a height SD score of −2 SD or less in Qazvin, Iran. Parents’ height was in the normal range for adults. Other causes of short stature were ruled out. The study subjects were treated with 4 IU/m² per day GH for at least 6 months. Height growth rate was measured and compared before and after the treatment.

Results: At the start of the study mean age was 8.73±2.84 year. Height growth rate was 0.41±0.17 and 0.87±0.23 cm/month before and after the treatment, respectively and the difference was statistically significant. Height SD score was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the results of boys and girls were not statistically different (P< 0.001).

Conclusion: GH therapy can improve height growth status in children with low birth weight.