Key Insights from 2024: Advances in Growth Hormone Deficiency Diagnosis and Treatment
From MRI overuse in pediatric endocrinology to long-acting growth hormone therapies, the year saw significant developments in managing growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and optimizing treatment protocols.
1. Nearly half of pediatric endocrinology MRIs are unnecessary, study finds
A study found that nearly 50% of brain MRI scans in pediatric endocrinology patients were unnecessary, with repeated imaging rarely providing new clinical insights. The analysis revealed that 67% of scans were normal, 86% of follow-up MRIs were deemed unnecessary, and 46% of all MRIs could have been avoided, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines to reduce overuse.
Read more here.
2. Talking treatment options with patients with growth hormone deficiency
Courtney Reints, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, a pediatric nurse practitioner at a Blank Children’s Hospital, a service of UnityPoint Health, in Des Moines, Iowa, talks about the flexibility afforded by weekly GHD treatment options and how she counsels patients and families through their GHD journey.
Watch here.
3. Daily versus once-weekly growth hormone treatment and decision-making for children with growth hormone deficiency
Bethany Auble, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses the different treatment options for pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency.
Watch here.
4. Study compares diagnostic value of three growth hormone tests
A study found that while the insulin tolerance test is the most specific and accurate method for diagnosing GHD, the arginine stimulation test (ArST) offers comparable accuracy with fewer side effects. The study also identified correlations between growth outcomes and factors such as bone age, BMI, and IGF-BP3 levels in patients with GHD.
Read more here.
5. Insights into GHD and Long-Acting Growth Hormone Therapy With Robert Rapaport, MD
Dr. Robert Rapaport discusses the use of long-acting growth hormones in children with GHD, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and the role of growth hormone stimulation tests. He highlights how long-acting options may improve adherence, especially for adolescents or busy parents, though treatment decisions often depend on insurance coverage and individual patient needs.
Watch here.
