score were measured at onset;
IGF-1 and height were monitored every 3 months. A formula for PAH was developed. Height increment (HI, adult
height-starting height) and height gain (HG, adult height-PAH) were calculated.
Results: Following rhGH administration for 11.1 ± 4.8 months, GV-SDS increased from −2.5 ± 1.7 to 3.5 ± 4.3
(P = 2 × 10−4), HI = 8.5 ± 3.7 cm, HG = 6.8 ± 4.8 cm and adult height was −1.8 ± 0.9 SDS, compared to a
PAH of −2.9 ± 0.6 SDS (P = 4 × 10−4). Knee score (P = 2 × 10−3), GV at rhGH onset (P = 8 × 10−3) and
rhGH dose (P= 8 × 10−3) were identified as predictors of HI and HG, but BA was not.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that 1) a short period of rhGH administration can increase true adult height
significantly in boys with ISS at time of near-ending growth; and 2) knee score rather than BA should be used
to identify rhGH responders. These preliminary observations await confirmation by larger randomized trials.