The association between idiopathic scoliosis and growth hormone treatment in short children

PURPOSE: Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis, and the risk of onset and progression has been found to correlate with growth spurts. Therefore, treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (GH) treatment in short children may initiate and/or aggravate scoliosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between idiopathic scoliosis and GH treatment in short children. METHODS: The medical records of 113 subjects seen at the participating institution between January 2010 and December 2020 and who were diagnosed with GH deficiency and small for gestational age, had idiopathic short stature, and were treated with GH for at least one year were reviewed. Scoliosis was defined as a Cobb angle greater than 10 degrees as assessed using a spine x-ray. Clinical data and laboratory findings before and 12 months after GH treatment were compared. RESULTS: There was significant increase in height, height-standard deviation score, insulin-like growth factor 1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (P<0.001) with GH treatment. However, there were no significant differences in the average Cobb angle (6.2°±3.3° vs. 6.1°±3.5°, P=0.842) and the prevalence of scoliosis (9.7% vs. 13.3%, P=0.481) before and after one year of GH treatment. A comparative analysis of both initial Cobb angle and change in Cobb angle during GH treatment showed no relationship with other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although GH treatment in short children increased height and growth velocity, it was not associated with development or aggravation of idiopathic scoliosis.