ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Short stature is a very common complication of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Chronic inflammation, long-term corticosteroid therapy, hepatic impairment and malnutrition can reduce the biological effects of IGF-1 and GH. Growth hormone (GH) treatment may improve height growth outcomes in patients with severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The aim of the study was to assess the response to growth hormone (GH) treatment in patients with JIA.

Material and method: 10 children (09 females, 06 males) with JIA and severe short stature were enrolled and followed up (measured in standard deviation (SD) scores). Clinical characteristics of baseline growth were compared with data after 12 months of GH treatment.

Results: The average age was 08.54 ± 2.30 years, There was a significant increase in mean patient height (-2.9 ± 0.7 vs -2.1 ± 0.68, P< 0.01) after 12 months of GH treatment. The mean GH dose was 0.037 mg/kg/day.

Conclusion: GH treatment significantly increased total growth in JIA patients after 12 months of treatment. To maximize final height, GH treatment should be initiated early.