[Growth hormone treatment of short children born small for gestational age]

Abstract

Short children born small for gestational age (SGA) are defined as having a birth weight below -2 SD for gestational age and a reduced height at four years of age (height < -2.5 SD). Growth hormone (GH) treatment significantly improves final height (mean height gain 12 centimetres) in such children. Consequently, GH therapy has been an approved indication in Europe since 2003 for SGA children who remain short at four years of age. The Danish consensus guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and control of short SGA children are described in this review.