Growth hormone therapy in short stature.

Unlimited availability of growth hormone (GH), and the demonstration of increased growth velocity (GV) during GH treatment in non-GH-deficient children have suggested new indications for GH therapy in short stature. There are two principle conditions with GH-related short stature: classical growth hormone deficiency (CGHD) and growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction (GHND). Present knowledge about the effects of GH treatment in these and other disorders of short stature are reviewed. In non-CGHD, it is not possible to predict the short-term effect on growth during GH therapy, and even if GV increases, the effect on final adult height remains to be documented. This, together with potential side effects and the high expense of GH treatment, exhort to a restricted attitude towards routine GH treatment of short children without GH deficiency.