The influence of pituitary volume on the growth response in growth hormone-treated children with growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature

• Published in: Annals of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism 2024, 29(2), , pp.95-101
• Main Authors: Oh, Jun Suk, Sohn, Beomseok, Choi, Youngha, Song, Kyungchul, Suh, Junghwan, Kwon, Ahreum, Kim, Ho-Seong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: dwarfism; growth hormone deficiency; growth response; idiopathic short stature; Original; pituitary gland; 소아과학
• ISSN: 2287-1012; 2287-1292
• DOI: 10.6065/apem.2346052.026

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for assessing the morphology of the pituitary gland in children with short stature. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine if pituitary volume (PV) can distinguish patients with growth hormone (GH) deficiency from those with idiopathic short stature (ISS), (2) to validate an association between PV and severity of GH deficiency, and (3) to compare PV between good and poor response groups in children with GH deficiency or ISS after 1 year of treatment. Data were collected from the medical records of 152 children with GH deficiency or ISS who underwent GH stimulation test, sella MRI, and GH treatment for at least 1 year. Estimated PVs were calculated using the formula of an ellipsoid. We compared the PVs in patients with GH deficiency with those of patients with ISS. In addition, we assessed the association between PV and severity of GH deficiency, and we assessed growth response after treatment. No difference was observed in PV between patients with GH deficiency and those with ISS. The severity of the GH deficiency seemed to be associated with PV (P=0.082), and the height of the pituitary gland was associated with severity of GH deficiency (P