ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is a critical condition that impairs the normal growth patterns in children, leading to various health challenges. Previous studies, including that by Leger et al. (1996), have characterized the secretion curve of growth hormone (GH) in early childhood. Our study aims to link the timed infantile growth data, specifically Length and Weight Standard Deviation Scores (LSDS and WTSDS), of children with diagnosed GHD to the normal established GH secretion patterns to better understand the relationship between hormone levels and growth rates.

Patients and Methods: This retrospective study involved a cohort of children diagnosed with GHD, with growth data collected from birth up to 48 months. We analyzed the LSDS and WTSDS at specific intervals (0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months) and compared these with the GH secretion curve reported by Leger et al. (1996). The children's growth data were collected during routine clinical management and retrospectively analyzed to determine the correlation with GH levels.

Results: Our cohort displayed a significant decline in both LSDS and WTSDS within the first two months, a critical period of high GH secretion according to Leger et al. (1996). The decline in growth measurements showed a similar pattern to the decline in GH levels over the same period, suggesting a strong correlation between GH secretion and growth rates in early childhood. The correlation between the two curves suggests that the rapid decline in GH levels in the first few months after birth may be associated with the sharp decrease in growth, as indicated by the drop in Stature SDS. This supports the understanding that GH is critical for growth in the early stages of life. The persistent negative Stature SDS throughout the first year indicates that children with GHD do not catch up to their peers in growth, maintaining a shorter stature compared to the average.

Conclusion: The correlation between the timing of decreased GH secretion and the drop-in growth rates in children with GHD supports the need for early diagnosis and intervention. Our study provides further evidence that the early postnatal period is a sensitive phase for growth in children with GHD and underscores the importance of hormone replacement therapy during this time to improve growth outcomes. This insight into the temporal relationship between GH levels and physical growth trajectories can inform the timing and adjustment of treatment protocols for children with GHD.