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Improvements in behaviour and self-esteem following growth hormone treatment in short prepubertal children.

Author(s): Chaplin JE, Kristrom B, Jonsson B, Hagglof B, Tuvemo T, Aronson AS, Dahlgren J, Albertsson-Wikland K

Affiliation(s): Goteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Institute of Clinical Science, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden.

Publication date & source: 2011, Horm Res Paediatr., 75(4):291-303. Epub 2011 Feb 5.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on behaviour and psychosocial characteristics in short-stature children. METHODS: 99 referred prepubertal non-familiar short-stature children (32 GH deficiency; 67 idiopathic short stature) aged 3-11 years, randomized to fixed or individual GH doses and their parents completed questionnaires (Child Behaviour Checklist, Birleson Depression Self-Report Scale, Abbreviated Parent-Teacher Questionnaire, I Think I Am, Well-Being Visual-Analogue Scales for Short-Stature Children) at baseline (BL) and after 3, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: At BL, children showed higher levels of internalizing behaviour (p < 0.001), lower levels of externalizing behaviour (p < 0.006) and self-esteem (p < 0.001) compared to reference values. During GH treatment, behavioural measures (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.01) changed towards the mean of the population within the first 3 months and remained improved to 24 months. Self-esteem improved at all time points (p < 0.001), and in all subgroups, as did well-being dimensions stability and mood (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that greater improvements were related to lower BL value, height gain, higher maximal GH value, being older, and being male. CONCLUSION: On GH treatment, prepubertal short children significantly improved on behavioural, depression, and psychosocial evaluations over a 2-year period of GH treatment. Most change occurred within the first 3 months, which highlights this short period as important not only for growth and metabolic changes but also for behaviour and psychosocial improvements following GH treatment. Copyright (c) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Page last updated: 2011-12-09

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