Physical growth in children with reflux nephropathy with normal or mildly impaired renal function.

Ten children aged 11 months to 10 years (means 5.7 years) with reflux nephropathy, vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) and normal or mildly impaired renal function having GFR more than 50 ml/min/1.72 m(2), were included in the study. The hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Height standard deviation score (HZ score) was reduced at entry and, decreased further during follow-up (-2.2 and -2.6 at 0 and 12 months, respectively). Weight for height index (WHI) improved significantly (p=0.0004) during follow-up. The basal and stimulated peak growth hormone levels of these patients were found to be elevated, 18.53 +/- 11.36 microg/L and 34.20 +/- 5.86 microg/L, respectively. The IGF-1 levels were low ranging from 45.00 to 84.40 ng/dl (mean +/- SD 61.54 +/- 10.21 ng/dl) compared to 51.80 to 247.50 ng/dl (mean +/- SD111.20 +/- 70.24 ng/dl) in age and sex matched controls, indicating partial insensitivity to growth hormone.