<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of recombinant
human growth hormone (r-hGH) replacement
therapy on
glucose and
lipid metabolism and
thyroid function in
children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>Forty-seven ISS
children with a mean age of 10±3 years treated between January 2009 and January 2013 were enrolled. All
children underwent r-hGH replacement
therapy for 3-24 months and were followed up once every 3 months.
Fasting blood glucose (FBG),
insulin (INS),
blood lipids and
thyroid function were measured before
treatment and after 0-1 and 1-2 years of
treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>
After treatment with r-hGH, there were no significant changes in FBG, INS,
insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and FBG/INS ratio (FGIR), but the FGIR showed a declining trend. The percentage of
patients with FGIR<7 (a marker of
insulin resistance) was 13% before
treatment compared to 18% 1-2 years
after treatment. The
atherosclerosis index decreased after r-hGH
treatment, but there were no significant changes in total
cholesterol,
triglyceride,
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and BMI. Furthermore, no significant change in
thyroid function was observed after r-hGH
therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>r-hGH
therapy can improve
lipid metabolism, without significant impacts on
thyroid function, FBG and INS. It seems to be a safe and reliable
therapy for
children with ISS. However, this
therapy possibly reduces
insulin sensitivity.</p>