GROWTH-HORMONE DEFICIENCY IN 2 CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL-PALSY

The authors describe two children with cerebral palsy and linear growt h failure secondary to growth hormone deficiency. One of the children was successfully treated with growth hormone replacement therapy. His linear growth velocity increased from 3cm/year before therapy to 8.3cm /year during the first two years of therapy. Potential complications s uch as worsening orthopedic status did not occur. Psychosocial benefit s were noted. The authors conclude that growth hormone deficiency may play a role in linear growth failure in some children with cerebral pa lsy and that some of these children may benefit from growth hormone th erapy.