GHD in Eastern Algeria

Nadira Rouabah; Hamza Rouabah; Salah Laasab; Meriem Daachi; N.I Aribi; M.F Lahreche; Assia Hassanine; Belkacem Bioud

Introduction: Growth is a fundamental process in childhood, and growth disorders remain one of the most common reasons for referral to a paediatric endocrinologist. The GH-IGF1 axis plays a major role in the growth phase of childhood, with an important role alongside sex steroids during puberty, while during infancy thyroid hormones and nutrition are vital. Although a rare cause of short stature, GH-IGF1 axis disorders are extremely important because of the effectiveness of recombinant human growth hormone treatment for children with GH deficiency (GHD).

Objectives: To describe the clinical, biological and aetiological profile of GHD

Materials and method: This is a retrospective study over a 7-years period from 2011 to 2018.

Results: We collected 136 GHD among true growth retardation, which represented 459 cases, i.e. a frequency of 23%. Mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 +/- 4 years, sex ratio M/F: 2.83. Consanguinity was found in 17% of cases. The mean height was 115,67+/- 20cm, i.e. -2,8 SDS, 67% had a BMI of less than 20 Average bone age was 6 years and 8 months IgF1 was low (- 2SDS) in relation to age norms in 67% of cases. The most commonly used dynamic test in our cohort (95%) was the glucagon-avlocardyl test. The mean peak GH was 3.4ng/ml. MRI was normal in 57.3% of cases, pituitary stalk interruption syndrome in 16.9% of cases, pituitary hypoplasia of less than 2 mm in 14% of cases and ectopy of the post-pituitary gland in 6.6% of cases. Isolated GHD was found in 74% of cases, whereas panhypopituitarism was found in 20.5% of cases and thyrotropic deficiency in 100% of cases. All patients were treated with growth hormone and other hormones depending on the deficiency. The dose used for treatment was 0.035 mg/kg/d. The average growth rate during the first year was 11cm and the average during the second year was 8cm.

ESPE Abstracts

P3-144