Growth Hormone Therapy in Short Stature Children

Kee-Hyong Lee

doi:10.5124/jkma.2008.51.9.849

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 51(9); 2008 > Article

Lee: Growth Hormone Therapy in Short Stature Children

Pharmacotherapeutics

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2008; 51(9): 849-855.

Published online: September 30, 2008

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2008.51.9.849

Growth Hormone Therapy in Short Stature Children

Kee-Hyong Lee, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea. khlee218@kumc.or.kr

Abstract

Since 1985 recombinant DNA-derived human growth hormone (hGH) became available for treatment of various growth disorders in children. GH stimulates linear growth in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and also demonstrates efficacy in the treatment of Turner syndrome, chronic renal failure, Prader-Willi syndrome, and growth failure secondary to small for gestational age (SGA). Although recently FDA approved GH therapy for idiopathic short stature, the effect of GH treatment remains unclear. GH therapy is generally safe but GH has potential side effects. The decision of GH therapy in idiopathic short stature should be made individualized under consideration of the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and psychosocial aspects, and GH therapy must be carried out by pediatric endocrinologists or experienced physicians.

Growth hormone; Efficacy; Safety; Short stature; Child

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Figure 1

Normal female growth percentiles curves (dotted lines) and Turner syndrome growth curves (solid lines). Recipients of GH alone, before treatment (open circles) and after treatment (filled circles).