A Masking Effect: A Case of Initial Presentation of Ulcerative Colitis After Discontinuing Growth Hormone Therapy

BACKGROUND: The inflammation and repair of the intestinal mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involve a complex interplay between innate, adaptive immune responses, and hormones. This may explain the relapsing clinical course of the disease. METHODS: We present the first reported case of a patient presenting their initial flare of ulcerative colitis immediately after discontinuing growth hormone (GH) therapy, suggesting treatment with GH or growth factors may prevent the development of IBD. RESULTS: This is a case of a 13-year-old female with a history of GH deficiency, presenting with an 8-week history of abdominal pain, blood-stained diarrhea, and fecal calprotectin greater than 8000 mcg/g, 2 weeks after discontinuing GH therapy. The patient subsequently underwent an esophagoduodenoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsies showing histological features consistent with ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of withdrawing GH or growth factors therapy potentially unmasking IBD in this patient raises a question of whether growth factors can inhibit the development of IBD and suggests beneficial effects of treatment with GH or growth factors as adjuvant therapy for IBD.