THE INFLUENCE OF GROWTH-HORMONE (RHGH) THERAPY ON TOOTH FORMATION IN IDIOPATHIC SHORT STATURED CHILDREN

The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate tooth formation in children with idiopathic short stature, before and during treatment with recombinant growth hormone (rhGH). Twenty-nine short-statured ch ildren ages 6 to 13 years were assigned into two treatment groups, an ''experimental'' group (n = 18), which received rhGH, and a ''control' ' group (n = 11), which was observed for 1 year before commencing rhGH treatment. Clinical and radiographic records were obtained at the ini tial, year 1, and year 2 visits. Tooth formation and stature were asse ssed by calculating Z-scores, appropriate for the age and gender of ea ch child. Delta-Z scores, which measure the change in Z-score over tim e, were also calculated between annual visits. Height was measured and recorded every 3 months, and Z-score statural norms for age and gende r were derived from the 1977 National Center for Health Services natio nal probability sampling. Tooth formation standards were derived from Moorrees et al.23 A matched control sample for tooth development was d erived from untreated children. Tooth formation was initially delayed although the degree of reduction in stature exceeded the initial degre e of delay in tooth formation. During this 2-year study, rhGH therapy had a significant influence on acceleration or gain in stature, but di d not have a significant influence on tooth formation.