A total of 82 prepubertal children with chronic renal insufficiency and with (HD, n = 28) or without (CRI, n = 54) haemodialysis were treated with rhGH, 1 i.u./kg/week. The absolute response (cm/year) was better in CRI children, but the growth velocity gain was similar in the two groups. In addition, the decrease in growth velocity during the second year on rhGH was more marked in CRI patients.