Idiopathic short stature: management and growth hormone treatment

Growth Horm IGF Res. 2008 Apr;18(2):111-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2007.11.003. Epub 2008 Feb 21.

Abstract

In the management of ISS auxological, biochemical, psychosocial and ethical elements have to be considered. In boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty androgens are effective in increasing height and sexual characteristics, but adult height is unchanged. GH therapy is efficacious in increasing height velocity and adult height, but the inter-individual variation is considerable. The effect on psychosocial status is uncertain. Factors affecting final height gain include GH dose, height deficit in comparison to midparental height, age and first year height velocity. In case of a low predicted adult height at the onset of puberty, addition of a GnRH analogue can be considered. Although GH therapy appears safe, long-term monitoring is recommended.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Determination by Skeleton
  • Body Composition
  • Body Height / drug effects
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / ethics
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / trends
  • Counseling
  • Growth Disorders / diagnosis
  • Growth Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Growth Disorders / psychology
  • Human Growth Hormone / adverse effects
  • Human Growth Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Puberty / drug effects
  • Puberty / physiology
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone