Can provocative growth hormone testing predict the response to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment?

Abstract

Treatment with rhGH has been proven to be useful in children with chronic renal insufficiency and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of endocrinological provocative testing in predicting results to rhGH treatment. Endocrinological investigations performed in 14 children on renal replacement therapy did not correlate with increment of height velocity in the first year of rhGH therapy. It is concluded that no endocrinological testing is useful before starting rhGH treatment; other predictors of the response to rhGH administration are needed.