Final Height Related to Growth Hormone Levels (Stimulated and Physiological) Evaluated in Short Children Before and After Growth Hormone Therapy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between final height (FH),relative FH gain (FH-TH) and GH secretion before and after GH therapy in children.We studied 72 short children [chronological age (CA):11.1±2.2 yrs; height (H):-2.0±0.4; height for bone age (HBA):-0.6 ±1.1; target height (TH):-1.1±0.8] with GH peaks <10 ng/ml after 2 pharmacological stimulation tests. 53/72 showed the mean nocturnal GH concentration (MGHC) <3 ng/ml and 19/72 ≥3 ng/ml. All pts. were treated for 4-5 yrs with GH (7mg/m²/wk). GH secretion was re-tested at FH (the MGHC was re-evaluated only in 12/53 with previous MGHC<3 ng/ml). 42 children with normal GH secretion and clinically similar to the GH treated pts. were followed until FH as control group (CG).The parameters were expressed in SDS. First evaluation: FH and FH-TH (-1.1±0.9; 0.0±0.1) in GH treated pts. were both higher (