LARON DWARFISM IN THE ARABIAN GULF - A REPORT OF A SIBSHIP

Laron dwarfism is a rare inherited form of short stature. Most cases r eported have been in people of Mediterranean origin, particularly Orie ntal Jews. We describe the first sibship in an Arab Muslim family from Kuwait in the Arabian Gulf. This type of growth hormone insensitivity is caused by defects in the growth hormone receptor gene. The recentl y available recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I has shown p romise as a promoter of growth in children with Laron syndrome.