Response to growth hormone treatment in very young patients with growth hormone deficiencies and mini-puberty

PubMedID: 29353264 The aim of the study was to assess the response to growth hormone (GH) treatment in very young patients with GH deficiency (GHD) through a national, multi-center study. Possible factors affecting growth response were assessed (especially mini-puberty). Medical reports of GHD patients in whom treatment was initiated between 0 and 3 years of age were retrospectively evaluated. The cohort numbered 67. The diagnosis age was 12.4±8.6 months, peak GH stimulation test response (at diagnosis) as 1.0±1.4 ng/mL. The first and second years length gain was 15.0±4.3 and 10.4±3.4 cm. Weight gain had the largest effect on first year growth response; whereas weight gain and GH dose were both important factors affecting second year growth response. In the multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) group (n=50), first year GH response was significantly greater than in the isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) group (n=17) (p=0.030). In addition first year growth response of infants starting GH between 0 and 12 months of age (n=24) was significantly greater than those who started treatment between 12 and 36 months of age (n=43) (p