COMPARISON OF BONE MATURATION RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH SHORT AND LONG-TERM GROWTH HORMONE THERAPY IN SHORT-STATURE PEDIATRIC PATIENTS.

Growth hormone deficiency is one of the major causes of short stature in children. It has been noted that hormonal treatment can be vindicated in short-stature children unless there are contraindications. This study aimed to investigate the impact of rhGH therapy duration on the increase of subjects' height at the end of therapy. Materials and methods: A retrospective longitudinal study of children diagnosed with short stature was followed. Participants aged between 5 and 15 years old who had their GH stimulation test done were included in the study. Collected data were patients' age, gender, rhGH therapy duration and height (cm) at presentation and the end of therapy. GH stimulation test readings and bone age were also gathered. Results: 129 children aged between 5-15 years of both gender were included in the study. They were grouped into three groups according to the duration of the received GH therapy: an 8-month group (n=25), a 14-month group (n=59) and 22-month group (n=45). No significant difference between males and females in regards to bone age, but the readings significantly increased with the increase in therapy duration (p<0.05). Growth hormone assay results were conversely reduced with the increase in GH therapy duration, with no significant difference between the two genders. Interestingly, an increase in the participant's height in the three treatment groups both males and females were reported. Overall, the increase in height was 7.08 cm, 12.58 cm and 20.84 cm in 8, 14 and 22-month groups (± 1.6, 3.3 and 4.3), respectively, a significant statistical difference between the three groups (p-value <0.05). This study provides evidence of the effect of long-term 22-month rhGH therapy on bone age and body height both in male and female children. Further prospective studies are required to assess the effect of the GH stimulation test on GH therapy.