Management of childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency in patients transitioning from pediatric to adult care: A review of the literature and consensus report from a panel of experts in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Despite increased recognition of the importance of optimizing care for patients with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CO-GHD) during the transition period from pediatric to adult services, its implementation in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia remains challenging. By an initiative from the Saudi Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, a panel comprising 11 experts, including both pediatric and adult endocrinologists with practical experience in the clinical management of patients with CO-GHD, was convened to discuss issues relating to transition care in this patient population. The primary objective of this consensus document was to develop the first clinician-led consensus statement that establishes best practices when transitioning adolescents with persistent CO-GHD to adult care in Saudi Arabia. A modified Delphi method was applied to develop consensus statements. A literature review was performed, and 20 statements were subsequently formulated. After two rounds of Delphi, consensus was achieved for 18 of the 20 statements.