Efficacy of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone on Glucocorticoid-Induced Short Stature in Children: A Retrospective Controlled Study
Authors' conclusion
In children with NS and GC-induced short stature, rhGH treatment results in a significantly greater improvement in growth velocity compared to spontaneous catch-up growth alone. It effectively enhances linear growth and normalizes the GH-IGF-1 axis with a favorable safety profile.
Study context
- Population
- Children with glucocorticoid (GC)-induced short stature (chronic renal and rheumatic diseases), single tertiary children's hospital, 2010–2020
- Participants
- 34 vs 20
- Exposure
- Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) vs spontaneous catch-up growth after GC withdrawal
- rhGHn = 34
- Controln = 20reference
- Outcome
- Annualized growth velocity
- Follow-up
- 1 year
Methodological detailsnon-randomized, single-centre, historical control
- Non-randomized
- Single-centre
- Historical control
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Annualized growth velocity (NS patients)
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Height standard deviation score (SDS), entire rhGH cohort (n = 34) · 1 year
- Height SDS significantly improved
- P < 0.001
Bone age (BA) minus chronological age, rhGH cohort · baseline to post-treatment
- Baseline discrepancy (mean ± SD)
- 2.61 ± 1.64 years
- Post-treatment discrepancy (median, IQR)
- 1.0 year (0.45, 2.6)
- Change
- P < 0.001
Serum IGF-1 SDS, rhGH cohort · baseline to post-treatment
- IGF-1 SDS increased from −1.45 ± 0.82 to 1.12 ± 0.95
- P < 0.001
Safety
Tolerability
- rhGH therapy was well-tolerated
Original publication
Efficacy of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone on Glucocorticoid-Induced Short Stature in Children: A Retrospective Controlled Study. Horm Res Paediatr. Published 23 January 2026. doi:10.
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