ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: This study presents a comparative analysis of the efficacy of sex steroid priming in enhancing growth hormone (GH) responses in short stature children undergoing GH stimulation tests.

Methods: A randomized study encompassed a cohort of 40 children, divided into two groups: "With Priming" and "Without Priming". The primed group exhibited a higher peak GH response (6.53) compared to the non-primed group (5.18), and a lower incidence of GH deficiency (20% vs. 40%).

Results: Upon comparing our findings with those from various clinical studies, a pattern emerged indicating that sex steroid priming generally enhances GH response in peripubertal children. Studies such as Marin et al. and Martinez et al. reported increased GH responses with priming, aligning with our results. However, not all studies observed this trend; Soliman et al. and Wilson et al. found no significant increase in GH response with priming, highlighting the variability of outcomes based on individual patient characteristics. Our study contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that priming can be a crucial factor in the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children. It underscores the need for personalized approaches in pediatric endocrinology, considering the individual variability in response to sex steroid priming. The findings also suggest that priming might reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosing GH deficiency, as evidenced by the lower incidence of GH deficiency in the primed group of our study. In conclusion, sex steroid priming before GH stimulation tests in children with short stature can enhance diagnostic accuracy and aid in the differential diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency. However, the decision to prime should be individualized, considering the patient's age, pubertal status, and specific clinical context.