Do children exhibit catch-up growth post transplant: North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study special study.

Changes in height deficit and standard deviation score (SDS) were evaluated in 524 recipients who were growth retarded at transplantation (SDS > -2.00) and were followed for at least 2 years post transplant. At 2 years the delta SDS was 0.32 +/- 0.04 and the delta height deficit was 0.75 +/- 0.23. Therefore despite improvement in the SDS at 2 years post transplant, the change in height deficit was < 1 cm. Change in height deficit may be a better indication of "catch-up" growth following transplantation.