Final height in boys with untreated constitutional delay in growth and puberty

Article Abstract:

Constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP) is an extreme of normal development rather than a medical disorder. Subjects with CDGP eventually attain normal adult height. However, many patients remain unhappy, despite explanation of the eventual outcome. Drug therapy is often used to increase short-term growth, allowing patients to resemble their peers. After reaching final height, the growth and psychological status of 43 boys with CDGP was evaluated and compared with 43 normal young men. The subjects' heights had significantly increased from the original examination. Although the majority achieved their predicted height, 21 percent had heights that differed from the estimated height by more than two inches. As a group, these subjects were significantly shorter than predicted. There were no apparent differences between the studied and control subjects in ratings of self-esteem, marital or employment state. As the subjects recalled problems related to their former short stature, half felt their CDGP had affected social or school success. Most participants felt that clinic attendance had made them feel better about their height, but 53 percent would have preferred treatment to speed their growth spurt; a similar number wanted treatment available for their children who might have the same problem. Further research on treatment of boys with CDGP is needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Prognosis, Growth disorders

---

Endocrine consequences of treatment of malignant disease

Article Abstract:

Since the 1950s the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy has produced a steadily improving rate of survival in children who have various types of cancers. The common childhood malignancies are presented, along with possible complications of treatments. These treatments may have adverse effects on the endocrine system and as a result may produce impaired or hyperactive function of the thyroid and pituitary glands, damage to the gonads or ovaries, and in some cases, other forms of cancers. These endocrine effects may result in short stature and accelerated or delayed puberty. These conditions are the result of hormonal imbalance, and they can often be treated successfully by the administration of hormones, usually in conjunction with the chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This course of treatment should be conducted by a team of an endocrinologist and an oncologist. All patients at oncological centers should be monitored by height, weight and pubertal stage at each visit. Where growth is slower than normal, appropriate growth hormones should be administered. If the thyroid is not functioning at acceptable levels, thyroid stimulating hormones should be given. Pubertal endocrinological abnormalities are extremely complex and require thorough analysis by the treatment team. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Injuries, Complications and side effects, Practice, Cancer in children, Childhood cancer, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Endocrine glands, Endocrine system, Oncology

---

Increase in urinary growth hormone excretion in puberty

Article Abstract:

The amount of growth hormone excreted in the urine is small in comparison with the amount produced by the anterior pituitary, because growth hormone is reabsorbed and metabolized in the kidney. Improvement in the sensitivity of tests to measure growth hormone levels has permitted the detection of very small amounts of growth hormone in the urine. A good correlation between the levels of growth hormone in the urine and those in the blood was reported. The overnight rates of human growth hormone excretion in the urine were measured in normal children and adolescents aged four to 18 years. The results showed that the overnight urinary excretion rate of human growth hormone increases to three to four times the rate observed before puberty. The peak overnight rates of human growth hormone excretion occur in girls at age 13 years and in boys at age 15 years. The average overnight urinary excretion rate of human growth hormone after puberty is twice that before puberty. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Measurement, Physiological aspects, Somatotropin, Puberty, Urine, Urinalysis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Intralesion interferon alpha-2b for the treatment of genital warts. Combined interferon alfa and doxorubicin in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer
• Abstracts: Listeriosis in patients with HIV infection: clinical manifestations and response to therapy. Cryptococcus neoformans pulmonary infection in HIV-1-infected patients
• Abstracts: Global health interdependence and the international physicians' movement. An opportunity to oppose: physicians' role in the campaign against tobacco
• Abstracts: Factors affecting recurrence in lumpectomy without irradiation for breast cancer. Impact of radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy on the risk for a second malignancy after breast cancer
• Abstracts: Antral Helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic renal failure. Oestrogen receptors in colorectal carcinoma

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.