CHANGES IN CRANIOFACIAL DEVELOPMENT INDUCED BY GROWTH-HORMONE THERAPYIN CHILDREN TREATED WITH BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

The effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on craniofacial developmen t was studied in nine children exhibiting low growth velocity after bo ne marrow transplantation (BMT). Comparisons were made with seven BMT children who had not received GH. Two groups of age- and sex-matched h ealthy children served as controls for the respective patient groups. After an average observation period of 3.5 years, the BMT children not treated with GH exhibited significantly reduced mandibular length and alveolar height (p < 0.01). The increase in mandibular length was onl y 30% of that found in healthy controls. Maxillary growth was less aff ected by BMT treatment. In the GH treated group, no significant differ ences were found in craniofacial growth increments compared with contr ols. Although exogenous GH therapy in this group of children did not i nduce a catch-up growth, it appears to have prevented further loss in growth potential.