Studies involving patients with short stature and partial deletion of sex chromosomes identified SHOX gene in the pseudoautosomal region of the X and Y chromosomes. SHOX haploinsufficiency is an important cause of short stature in a diversity of clinical conditions. It explains 2/3 of short stature observed in Turner syndrome (TS) patients. Heterozygous mutations in SHOX are observed in 77% of patients with Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis, a common dominant inherited skeletal dysplasia and in 3% of children with idiopathic short stature, […]

Growth prediction models are algorithms derived from multiple regression analyses including variables that influence growth responses to GH therapy in a defined group of subjects over a defined period of time. Mathematical equations can be derived from the knowledge acquired with the relative importance of each variable, which provide objective measurements of each subject’s growth potential in response to GH therapy on different situations. Therefore, these equations can be used as tools to improve evidence-based decision regarding to growth promoting […]

The integrity of the GHRH-GH-IGF-I axis is important for normal growth. Mutations in genes involved in any of the steps result in short stature. Disorders of this axis can be divided in: 1) GH deficiency combined with deficiencies of other pituitary hormones due to alterations in transcription factors involved in pituitary organogenesis (HESX1/RPX, LHX3 e LHX4, PROP-1, PIT-1); 2. Isolated GH deficiency (GHRH receptor, GH-1, bioinactive GH); and 3. GH insensitivity (GH receptor, IGF-I gene and IGF-I receptor). Genes involved […]