Growth Hormone Treatment in the Institute of Endocrinology

Overview

Institute of Endocrinology became a pediatric center for growth hormone treatment in 1993, after the existing cohort of children treated in the Department of Pediatrics of the Postgraduate Medical School (IPVZ, FTN) had been transferred here. In 2004 it became also a center for adults. At the end of 2006 the total number of those, who underwent the treatment amounted to 408 patients. Their indications come out of internationally observed clinical and laboratory criteria while the treatment itself is regularly controlled in the 3-months periods. It is also a matter of standardized evidence in international protocols. Our insurance covers that financially demanding treatment completely. As the best criterion for the growth hormone efficacy in children we follow the growth velocity, the benefit is however perceived in other clinical and laboratory indices as well. In adults the success criteria are metabolic parameters, the increase of non-fatty body mass, increase of bone density and improvement of subjective quality of life. Our experience in growth hormone treatment is propitious, with 80% of children evaluated as successful. No adverse events has been ever registered; the before time discontinuation of treatment has been decided only four times. Intermittent summer camps, weekend activities and social meetings of patients contribute to the good compliance and collaboration.

Key words:
growth hormone, indications.