Clinical and auxological characteristics of growth hormone deficiency in children of the southern region of Ukraine

Abstract

Anotation. Regional clinical and auxological studies of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children contribute to a realistic assessment of the severity of the problem and prevent underdiagnostics of the disease. The aim of the study is to analyze the features of various forms of GHD in children of the Odessa region on the basis of the clinicians’ integrated assessment of history, physical examination, auxology, stature, growth velocity, bone age (BA), 2 growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests, insulin-like growth factor, magnetic resonance imaging in 92 children with GHD in the Odessa region. Parametric variables were assessed using criteria t-test and хі-square (χ2). The p value <0,05 was considered statistically significant. Decrease in SDS height from - 2,1 tо - 6,6 was found. Isolated GHD (IGHD) was diagnosed in 65,2% of diseases, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) in 34,8% cases. IGHD was more often idiopathic and MPHD was more often arose on an organic basis. Chronological age (CA), BA and height of children with MPHD were lower at the start of therapy compared with IGHD. Complete GH deficiency was more common in children with MPHD (62,7%), while partial GH deficiency was more common in children with IGHD (81,7%). Very low values of the coefficient CA/BA (less than 0,55) were significantly more often detected in children with MPHD compared with IGHD. The regional clinical and auxological characteristics of GHD in children in the Odessa region can be considered in further study of population aspects and patterns of growth.