Growth failure in boys with hemophilia and HIV infection.

The growth of 22 boys with hemophilia, infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and lymphadenopathy, but not overt acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was evaluated. Three patients were found to have significant growth failure for 3-4 years with the onset after HIV infection. Extensive endocrine evaluation revealed that two of the three had neurodysregulation of growth hormone release with hyposomatomedinemia. None had classical growth hormone deficiency, thyroid deficiency, or evidence of malnutrition/malabsorption or other systemic illness. It appears that growth failure is not rare in boys with hemophilia and HIV infection and that this might be due to a direct effect on the physiologic secretion of growth hormone.