Prevalence of growth hormone deficiency of children in Beijing

Abstract

103,753 (male 51,994, female 51,759) primary and middle school students aged 6-15 years in two districts in Beijing city were surveyed from October 1987 to April 1989. The heights of the students were measured. According to the height standard of northern cities in China, 202 students with heights below the 3rd percentile for age were requested for detailed history, physical examination, screening GH test bone age, T4, SGPT, chest X-ray, routine urine test and sex chromatin (in female). If GH less than 10 micrograms/L, two provocative tests (L-dopa or clonidine and insulin hypoglycaemia test) were done. Then the heights of the short students were observed for 1/2-2 years. GHD was diagnosed in 12 cases based on the GH peak levels less than 10 micrograms/L in two provocative tests, whose growth velocity was slower than that for students of the same age and sex. Of these subjects with GHD, total GHD (GH less than 5 micrograms/L) was present in 7 and partial GHD (GH = 5-9.9 micrograms/L) in 5. The 12 GHD students (male 9, female 3) aged 8.9-15.7 years accounted for 1/8,646 in the total surveyed students. The male and female GHD accounted for 1/5,777 and 1/17,253 in the total males and females respectively.

PIP: The prevalence of growth hormone (GH) deficiency in Beijing children was estimated by measuring the heights of 103,753 children aged 6-15 and assessing those below the 3rd percentile in height. The following data were collected from 202 students: history, physical examination results, bone age, T4, chest x-ray, liver function tests, urinalysis, and sex chromatin in the girls who had not menstruated. 13 short children were excluded because of organic disease. Those with GH 10 mcg/L were subjected to provocative tests using L-dopa, clonidine, and insulin. GH deficiency was diagnosed in 12 children based on GH levels, provocative testing, and growth velocity over the next 1.5 years. There was total GH deficiency (GH 5 mcg/L) in 7 children and partial GH deficiency (GH 5-9.5 mcg/L) in 5 others. These 9 boys and 3 girls accounted for 1 case of GH deficiency/8646 middle school students in Beijing. The prevalence is between that published for Newcastle and Edinburgh, UK. This information will be useful for estimating the amount of synthetic GH needed in China.