ESPE Abstracts

Background: A significant component of total linear growth is height gain achieved after the initiation of puberty. Children with Isolated GH Deficiency (IGHD) frequently come for evaluation around the peripubertal stage. Therefore, increasing pubertal height gain in IGHD children entering puberty with a relatively low height is important. Researchers have tried to assess effectiveness of treatment in such patients based on various key measurements and a variety of end-points.

Objective and hypotheses: To compare the effect of rhGH with or without the use of a GnRHan based on the height gained from puberty initiation (Breast Tanner II) to final height in girls with IGHD.

Method: We retrospectively analysed pertinent data of females with IGHD receiving either rhGH alone (n=17) or rhGH and GnRH (n=16). Twenty females with normal growth served as controls. None of the participants had health problems (other than IGHD for patients) that could affect growth potentials. Kruskal–Wallis test used for statistical comparison.

Results: Pubertal Height gain in girls who received rhGH alone did not differ from controls (21.74±3.11 vs 20.4±3.93 cm, P=0.21) whereas Pubertal Height gain (28.44±4.76 cm) of girls that received both rhGH and GnRHan was significantly higher than both controls and girls receiving rhGH alone (P<0.001 for both).

Conclusion: It seems that with rhGH treatment, pubertal gain expected for children with normal growth is achieved. Although groups are not matched for all major parameters, combined rhGH and GnRH treatment seems to significantly increase pubertal gain compared to either normal girls or IGHD girls treated only with rhGH.