Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is normally diagnosed when the affected child is between 6 and 8 years of age and a lack of normal growth first becomes noticeable. Some patients, however, are diagnosed as being GH deficient at a relatively young age (<2 years). These patients differ from the later-diagnosed patients in terms of their background, their characteristics of GH deficiency (GHD) and their response to GH replacement therapy. The analysis described in this article examined the similarities and differences between children in these categories identified from KIGS (Pharmacia International Growth Database). The results showed that although early-diagnosed patients had more severe GHD, they were much more responsive to GH therapy. Thus, it is suggested that early diagnosis and initiation of treatment in GH-deficient patients is strongly needed to achieve the maximum effects from therapy.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel