CHANGES IN BODY-COMPOSITION AND BONE-DENSITY AFTER DISCONTINUATION OFGROWTH-HORMONE THERAPY IN ADOLESCENCE - AN INTERIM-REPORT

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults and children is associated w ith decreased lean tissue mass (LTM), increased fat mass and reduced b one mineral density (BMD). The changes in BMD and body composition, 6 and 12 months after ceasing GH treatment, were assessed using dual-ene rgy X-ray absorptiometry in eight patients with GHD (age range, 13.8-1 7.5 years). Seven age-matched normal subjects who had completed growth were assessed at 0 and 12 months. Total body BMD was low at baseline (p < 0.05) in patients with GHD compared with the predicted values bas ed on sex-specific regression equations, with height, weight and age t aken into account. Total body, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD incre ased in the patients and controls at 12 months. LTM decreased signific antly by a mean of 1.37 kg in the patients with GHD at 12 months where as there was a non-significant increase in LTM in the control group. T he percentage of body fat increased in all patients with GHD at 6 and 12 months, from 27.2 +/- 11% (mean +/- SD) at baseline to 32 +/- 9.9% at 12 months (p = 0.009). There was no significant increase in mean pe rcentage body fat in the control group. The ratio of android (trunk):g ynoid (legs) fat was calculated using default settings of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mean android:gynoid fat ratio increased, tho ugh non-significantly, in patients with GHD at 12 months, with 6 of 7 showing an increase; no change was observed in the control group. Thes e results indicate that BMD continues to increase 12 months after ceas ing GH therapy in adolescents with GHD, but that unfavourable alterati ons in body composition occur.