FINAL HEIGHT IN LONG-TERM PRIMARY HYPOTHYROID CHILDREN

Objective: We studied retrospectively the statural growth and bone mat uration of 32 children with primary hypothyroidism in order to relate their final heights to their chronological ages, height deficits and b one ages at the beginning of treatment, Patients were grouped accordin g to age when treatment was started: Group 1 (G1) (n=17): (15 girls, 1 boy) 3.09+/-0.8 yr; Group 2 (G2) (n=9): (7 girls, 2 boys) 9.1+/-1.2 y r, and Group 3 (G3) (n=6): (5 girls, 1 boy) 13.58+/-1.13 yr, At diagno sis G1 and G2 were prepubertal and G3 children were in puberty. In 10 patients of G1, 7 of G2 and 6 (all) of G3 final height was compared wi th target height. Results: (SDS) Initial height: G1: -3.74+/-1.2; G2: -3.94+/-1.32; G3 -3.65+/-11, Height at onset of puberty: G1: -1.06+/-1 .1; G2: -2.5+/-1.4. Height menarche stage 5: G1: -0.63+/-1.1; G2: -1.7 6+/-1.2; G3: -2.6+/-1.7, Final height: (whole group) G1: -0.85+/-0.91; G2: -1.6+/-1.3; G3: -2+/-1.5. Final height G1 (n=10): -1.05+/-0.89; G 2 (n=7) 1.2+/-1. Target height GI (n=10): -1.22+/-0.78; G2 (n=7): -0.8 +/-1.2; G3 (n=6): -1.07+/-1.5. Initial bone age: G1: -4.9+/-0.85; G2: -7.2+/-2.6; G3: -4.5+/-1.9. Bone age (onset of puberty) G1: -0.26+/-1. 74; G2: -2+/-1.7; Bone age (menarche) G1: 0.09+/-0.6; G2: -0.5+/-0.6; G3: -0.76+/-0.82. Conclusion: G1 and G2, prepubertal at diagnosis, rea ched a normal adult height with respect to target height; G3 did not, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.04), Puberty plays a decisive role in the incomplete catch-up growth of Longstanding hyp othyroid patients.