[Long-term follow-up of isolated-growth hormone deficiency typeIA: the clinical analysis of 2-sister cases].

Objective: To elucidate the curative and adverse effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in 2 patients with isolated-growth hormone deficiency type IA (IGHDIA), to track sexual development and pregnancy, and reassess the quality of life in the adulthood.

Method: The authors summarized the data of 2-sister cases with IGHDIA; followed up for assessment of height, weight, blood pressure and sexual development; detected fasting blood lipids, glucose, insulin, insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3); made an investigation of education and occupation, and so on.

Result: After 6.2 and 7.3 years treatment with rhGH, the two sisters had considerably improved height from -7.8 SDS, -8.8 SDS to -2.6 SDS and -1.3 SDS respectively. No evident side effect was observed. They had normal sexual development and pregnancy. The levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were still low, in the elder sister they were 46.6 µg/L, 2460 µg/L, and in the younger 52.4 µg/L, 2430 µg/L. No hyperlipidemia, diabetes or obesity occurred.

Conclusion: Long term therapy with rhGH may improve final adult height of individuals with IGHDIA. They can have normal sexual development and pregnancy. Metabolic syndrome did not occur during the follow-up period.