ndocrinology Effect of Growth Hormone Therapy on Development and Quality of Life in Growth Hormone Deficient Patients with Delayed Development

Abstract

Eleven growth hormone (GH)-deficient patients with delayed development composed of 10 males and one female with ages ranging from 4 to 17 years were studied. The diagnosis was cerebral palsy in 4 cases, West syndrome in 2, Prader-Willi syndrome in one and others in 4. Six patients could walk unaided, but the remaining five could not. Ten patients had mental retardation, from very severe to mild. Their parents and house staff observed their behavior and development during 3 months to 3 years of GH therapy. Some catch-up of development in gross motor function, social behavior, and speech was observed after GH therapy. In some cases, sleep disorder, feeding difficulty, and emotional state improved. Most patients became more active in daily life after therapy. These data suggest that GH therapy is effective not only on growth but also on development and quality of life in GH-deficient patients with delayed development.