ESPE Abstracts

Key words: Descriptive study, short stature, Growth Hormone deficiency, Growth Hormone analogue, Lebanon, NDS-UMC, Byblos, single center experience.

Background: There is a lack of national data concerning growth hormone deficiency treatment in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to describe the height gained under growth hormone therapy of 39 patients diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Methods: Data was collected by one investigator. The group formed of 39 GH deficient children was initially selected from 240 patients presenting to the Pediatric Endocrine Unit at Notre Dame Des Secours University Medical Center (NDS-UMC), Byblos, for short stature between January 1999 and December 2019.

Results: In this study, the height gained was satisfactory over the course of 3 years. The height gained during and after treatment was assessed with an overall gain of 29cm after 3 years for girls compared to 24.8cm for boys.

Conclusion: To be able to maintain an optimal treatment for GH deficient children, awareness concerning short stature, its potential causes and education about GH treatment initiation and adherence is a must. GH treatment should be prescribed to the right patient at the right moment and during an important period of life to prevent short stature during adulthood and its undesirable effects.