Short Stature and Growth Hormone Therapy

Park, Yong Hoon

Abstract

Normal growth and development is of prime concern during childhood. The treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency has been revolutionized by growth hormone therapy. An improved height outcome with a final height within the target height range has been achieved. However, close follow-up with regular clinical and laboratory monitoring is essential for achieving the desirable height outcome. The theoretical unlimited supply of growth hormone has led to its wide spread use in a variety of disorders other than a growth hormone deficiency. Initially used in children with Turner syndrome, growth hormone is now used to treat chronic renal failure, an idiopathic short stature and intrauterine growth restrictions in addition to a wide array of newly emerging indications. This review summarizes the basics for a proper growth assessment, the differentiation of normal and abnormal growth causes of a short stature, and the indications for growth hormone treatment.