Reassessment of GH Status and GH Therapy in Adults with Childhood-onset GHD: Transitional Care from Adolescence to Adulthood.

Choi,  Jin Ho; Yoo,  Han Wook

doi:2011.16.1.1

Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab > Volume 16(1); 2011 > Article

Review

Journal of Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology 2011;16(1): 1-6.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6065/jkspe.2011.16.1.1

Reassessment of GH Status and GH Therapy in Adults with Childhood-onset GHD: Transitional Care from Adolescence to Adulthood.

Jin Ho Choi, Han Wook Yoo

Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hwyoo@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and reduced quality of life. GH status should be reevaluated in the transitional age for continued treatment to complete somatic development. All children diagnosed with GHD should be retested by insulin provocative tests upon completion of skeletal growth. A low insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a reliable diagnostic indicator of GHD in the presence of hypopituitarism, however, a normal IGF-I does not rule out GHD. When the diagnosis of adult GHD is established, continuation of GH therapy is strongly recommended. Continued GH treatment from adolescence into early adulthood may contribute to the attainment of a normal bone and muscle mass and contribute to a decrease of the cardiovascular risk of GHD adults. There is ongoing debate about nearly every aspect of GH therapy.

Keywords: Adult growth hormone deficiency;Hypopituitarism;Transition