Beneficial effect of growth hormone on atherogenic risk in children with growth hormone deficiency.

We studied changes in the atherogenic index (total cholesterol divided by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) in 12 prepubertal boys with growth hormone (GH) deficiency during 9 months of GH treatment. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased until 5 months without significant changes in total cholesterol level; thus GH therapy may be beneficial in reducing the atherogenic index in boys with GH deficiency.