Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction

Congenital GH deficiency is more common in boys than in girls. Several differences have been noted between the 2 genders. We proposed to study these differences for epidemiological, auxological and anthropometric characteristics.

Methods

This is a retrospective study including 75 patients followed for congenital GH deficiency in the endocrinology department at the National Institute of Nutrition in Tunis.

Results

In our population, 46 patients (63%) were male. The average age of discovery was 112 ± 54 months or 9 ± 4.5 years for males and 93 ± 45 months or 7 ± 3 years for females (P = 0.137). The delay of diagnosis was on average 32 ± 32 months for males and 12 ± 19 months for females but without significant difference (P = 0.243). The mean target height of our patients was 165.45 ± 9.89 cm, 170.6±5.07 cm for boys and 156.09±9.78 cm for girls (P <0.0001). The mean weight at diagnosis was 19.72 kg ± 8.38 with a mean height of 114.56 ± 20.09 cm. The most frequent initial height in girls (41%) was less than - 4 DS versus (30%) in boys for a height between –2 and –3 DS. Initial height in DS was on average –2.33 ±1.2 DS for girls and –2.58 ±0.5 DS for boys with a significant difference (P = 0.043). The mean weight at diagnosis was 19.72 ± 8.38 kg. Underweight less than –2SD was noted in 20% of cases. There was no significant difference between the two sexes for BMI in SD (P = 0.168).

Discussion/Conclusion

This difference between the 2 genders has also been found in the literature. This is interesting to know especially for a better knowledge of the characteristics of these children which leads to a better management.