Frequency of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children with Short Stature

Growth hormone deficiency is an important and treatable cause for short stature in early diagnosed cases. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of growth hormone deficiency in children with short stature referred.

In a cross sectional descriptive study, all short stature children referred to endocrinology clinic of Golestan hospital in Ahvaz, Iran during 2005 to 2006 were included if they had height below 3rd percentile for age and sex, no any chronic disorder causing short stature and normal initial investigations. Standard growth hormone stimulation tests were performed and patients with growth hormone maximum level of less than 10 ng/dl (in two tests), were considered as growth hormone deficient.

202 cases (59.9% male and 40.1% female) with age range of 1 to 15 and mean age of 9.1 years were studied. Frequency of growth hormone deficiency was 11.8%. In growth hormone deficient group, male/female ratio was 2.4/1 and family history of short stature was positive only in 4.2%. Height standard deviation score (SDS) of 75% of these cases was ≤ -3 and weight for age in 79.2% was ≥ 10 percentile. These data showed significant difference between short and normal children (P < 0.05).

In this study, frequency of growth hormone deficiency was average, compared to other studies. In children with standard deviation score < -3 and weight percentile ≥ 10, growth hormone deficiency should be more considered. Parents and health care providers should be urged to early referral of children with short stature.