Treatment for 24 months with recombinant human GH has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density in young adults with childhood-onset GH deficiency

Abstract

Objective: Discontinuation of growth hormone (GH) therapy on completion of linear growth may adversely affect bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults with childhood-onset GH-deficiency (GHD). In the present study,we analyzed the impact of GH treatment on bone in young adults with GHD. Methods: BMD at the lumbar spine (L2-L4), total hip, and total body was measured at baseline and after 24 months in a cohort of young adults (18-25 years; n=160) with severe GHD treated with GH during childhood who were randomized to GH (n=109) or no treatment (n=51) in a multicenter, multinational, open-label study. GH starting doses (0.2 mg/ day (males), 0.4 mg/day (females)) were increased after 1 month t..