Growth of prepubertal children with juvenile chronic arthritis

The height and height velocity standard deviation scores (HSDS and HVSDS) o f 64 prepubertal children with mild to moderate chronic arthritis were calc ulated at the time of diagnosis and then annually during treatment and foll ow-up of 4 y. Preceding the diagnosis, children with chronic arthritis were as a group slightly taller than their healthy peers. During the year befor e the diagnosis they had grown faster than their peers. During the first ye ar of treatment their growth velocity decreased (change in the mean HVSDS F rom +0.63 to -0.52), but during further followup it returned to the pretrea tment level (the mean HVSDS being +0.53 four years after the diagnosis). Th e growth was influenced more by polyarticular than by pauciarticular diseas e. The cumulative total dose of glucocorticosteroids did not have statistic ally significant influence on growth. In conclusion, growth retardation in prepubertal children with chronic arthritis was seen following the diagnosi s and initiation of treatment, more so in polyarticular disease. During fur ther follow-up, growth velocity increased. This reflected the growth promot ing effect of inflammatory process control.