The Multiple Indications for Growth Hormone Treatment of Pediatric Patients

Abstract

GH has many approved uses in pediatric patients including GH deficiency, CRF, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, SGA, and ISS. The child should have an appropriate evaluation for poor growth and endocrine consultation as dictated by clinical and investigative findings. Treatment of the child with GH deficiency is universally accepted. Treatment of children with Turner syndrome is dependent on the child's growth and stature with early diagnosis and treatment offering the most favorable outcome. Prescription of GH for PWS patients should be done cautiously given the possible association between GH use and sudden death; further studies are needed to fully delineate such a relationship. If a child has a history of SGA and is below the 3rd percentile at age 2, endocrine referral should be considered. Adult heights within the normal range may be attained in SGA patients treated with GH. An individualized approach to children with ISS should be practiced. The clinician should take into consideration factors such as psychosocial concerns and must exclude alternative etiologies of poor growth prior to consideration of therapy with GH. For all etiologies, greater height gains generally have been shown to be associated with younger age at time of diagnosis and treatment. There are ethical, economic and psychosocial issues surrounding GH use in children such that sound clinical practice should include an individualized approach to any patient who may be a potential candidate for GH treatment.