Treatment of constitutional delay of growth and adolescence with human growth hormone.

Constitutional delay of growth and adolescence is caused by continuous diminution of spontaneous hGH-secretion as was proved by measuring hGH-levels in deep sleep by night. Therefore, treatment by hGH is a replacement therapy. Thirteen patients underwent hGH longterm therapy, 12 with good success. On average we observed doubling of the previous growth velocity, in the most favourable case an increase from 3.5 cm to 14.7 cm per year. Predicted adult height rose in 5 cases.