Abstract
Background: This research aimed to investigate the relationship between haemoglobin (Hb) and growth hormone (GH) peak in children and adolescents with short stature.Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 787 children and adolescents with short stature. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were measured at baseline. All patients underwent GH provocation tests with L-dopa and insulin to assess GH peak levels.Results: The univariate analysis results showed that Hb was positively associated with GH peak (β 0.07, P=0.001). Furthermore, a non-linear relationship was detected between Hb and GH peak in multivariate piecewise linear regression analysis, and the breakpoint was 123 g/L. GH peak increased with Hb elevation when the Hb level was greater than 123 g/L (β 0.08, 95% CI 0.01, 0.14; P=0.0207). However, when the Hb level was lower than 123 g/L, there was no significant relationship between Hb and GH peak (β -0.12, 95% CI -0.30, -0.06; P = 0.1867).Conclusion: In children and adolescents with short stature, we found a non-linear association between Hb and GH peak. These findings suggest that clinicians should pay more attention to Hb levels in patients with short stature.
Recombinant growth hormone therapy in children with short stature in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study of use and treatment outcomes
