WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Dr. Zahraa Jamal Chachan, Dr. Sahar Salim Al-Taie

ABSTRACT

Background: Short stature is a common pediatric condition affecting growth and quality of life. Recombinantgrowth hormone therapy (rGHT) is widely used, although treatment response varies according to the underlyingetiology. Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of recombinant growth hormone therapy in children with short staturetreated at Al Wafaa Tertiary Center in Nineveh Governorate. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 300children and adolescents with short stature who had received rGHT for at least one year. Data were collected frommedical records and structured interviews with patients or caregivers. Results: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD)was the most common indication for treatment. Children with GHD demonstrated a significant increase in meanheight from 124.85 to 131.33 cm after one year of therapy (p < 0.001) and significant weight gain (p < 0.001). Incontrast, height improvement was not significant in idiopathic short stature (ISS; p = 0.075) or Turner syndrome(TS; p = 0.101). Weight increased significantly in ISS (p = 0.027) but not in TS (p = 0.148). Adverse events wereuncommon, with joint pain (7%) and headache (4.49%) being the most frequent. Over 90% of children with GHDreported no treatment-related side effects. Conclusion: Recombinant growth hormone therapy was most effectivein children with GHD, producing significant improvements in height and weight with minimal adverse effects.Benefits were modest in ISS and limited in TS, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and individualizedtreatment strategies.

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