SHORT STATURE AND CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE - WHAT CONCERNS CHILDREN AND PARENTS

Multicentre trials are evaluating growth hormone treatment in short ch ildren (height >2 SDs below mean) with chronic renal failure (CRF), on dialysis, or with a transplant. Thirty children and parents from four centres were interviewed to assess psychological functioning and eval uate their concerns about growth in the context of CRF. There were 24 males and six females, age range 2-18 years. Fifty per cent of patient s had additional non-renal complications and 30% had learning difficul ties. Differences between the respective concerns of parents and child ren were striking. Parents' predominant concern was their child's futu re health (50%) and prospects (37%) while children's main concern was the impact of illness on their family (50%). Growth was a major concer n for 30% of parents and 28% of children. Growth problems are importan t and should be considered within the context of other illness issues. Improved understanding of parental and child concerns may help maximi se the benefits of growth hormone and assist in the management of chil dren with CRF.