Growth hormone treatment in short children.

A study of 31 children with short stature was initiated in 1982. They received subcutaneous injections of pituitary hGH, 0.1 IU/kg/day; no adverse effects were seen and none of the patients acquired antibodies. Only the results of the first year are presented, as final height has not yet been attained. A high growth response was seen in 29 of the 31 children; they experienced an initial rise of IGF-1, IGF-2, alkaline phosphatase and procollagen III. The best response was obtained in the child with the lowest levels of endogenous pulsatile hGH secretion.