Final adult height in Korean children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency after growth hormone treatment

This study evaluated final adult height (FAH) outcomes and associated predictive factors in patients with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) treated with recombinant human growth hormone (GH). We retrospectively analyzed medical records of prepubertal patients who initiated GH treatment from August 2003. As of July 2024, FAH data were available for 60 patients (40 males, 20 females). The patients started GH therapy at a mean age of 8.5 years and were treated for an average of 6.5 years. Mean height improved from - 2.6 to - 1.1 standard deviation score (SDS) following treatment. GH treatment was initiated at a significantly younger age in females. Mean FAH was 168.5 ± 4.4 cm (- 1.1 ± 0.8 SDS) in males and 156.0 ± 3.3 cm (- 1.1 ± 0.7 SDS) in females. FAH SDS was comparable to target height SDS. Multiple regression analysis showed that FAH SDS was positively associated with initial height SDS (B = 0.72, 95% CI 0.270-1.182) and negatively associated with baseline insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) SDS (B = - 0.347, 95% CI - 0.501 to - 0.192) (Adjusted R² = 0.295, p < 0.001). In conclusion, GH therapy significantly improved final height in patients with IGHD. A greater treatment benefit was observed in those with taller initial height and lower IGF-1 levels prior to treatment initiation.