Congenital growth hormone deficiency associated with hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

Legg-Calve´-Perthes disease - diagnostic value of acetabular-femoral head match index

Early treatment of Legg-Calve´-Perthes disease (LCPD)can improve hip joint activity and life management in adulthood. However, the current classification of LCPD is based on imaging findings in the fragmented stage of the disease, which is prone to delay treatment. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate the potential risk factors associated with poor radiological outcomes of LCPD, and to develop a new index for hip consistency evaluation, which can be used to speculate radiographic outcomes at the time of the first visit. The acetabular-femoral head match index (AFMI) of each enrolled subject was measured in standard anterior-posterior radiograph images. In the study of patients presenting during necrosis and fragmentation stage, a significant correlation was established between AFMI and modified Stulberg classification (P<0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analyses showed that Herring classification of fragmentation stage and AFMI were the main risk factors for flat hips. Thus, we provide evidence suggesting that AFMI has a potential role in predicting patients who do not respond well to conservative treatment. Although prospective multicenter studies are needed, these results provide useful clinical clues for the early treatment of LCPD.

The Rising Popularity of Growth Hormone Therapy and Ensuing Orthopedic Complications in the Pediatric Population: A Review

The utilization of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in pediatric populations, originally approved to treat diseases of growth hormone deficiency, has expanded to encompass a broader range of indications, leading to a threefold increase in its utilization in the last two decades. However, concerns regarding its safety, particularly those that are orthopedic in nature, have grown alongside its increasing popularity. Growth hormone usage has been reported to predispose patients to a multitude of common orthopedic conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, little league shoulder, Osgood-Schlatter disease, osteochondritis dissecans, scoliosis, Sever's disease, and slipped femoral capital epiphysis. The pathways by which growth hormone therapy can precipitate orthopedic pathology has been shown to be multifactorial, involving mechanisms such as hormonal changes, growth plate instability, rapid growth, and increased susceptibility to overuse injury. This review examines the orthopedic consequences of growth hormone therapy in pediatric patients by discussing these potential pathophysiologic mechanisms of injury and analyzing subsequent clinical manifestations. By examining processes underlying these complications, we highlight the need for orthopedic surveillance and management in children receiving GHT, particularly those with pre-existing musculoskeletal comorbidities or high levels of physical activity. Our findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving co-management by pediatricians, endocrinologists, and orthopedic surgeons to optimize safety and outcomes for these patients. Directions for future research include correlating pathophysiologic mechanisms to injury patterns, investigating long-term complications in recently approved growth hormone therapy indications, and informing clinical guidelines on the management of orthopedic injuries in this patient population.

Approach to the Patient: Management of Pituitary Hormone Replacement Through Transition

Hypopituitarism in childhood is a rare, complex disorder that can present with highly variable phenotypes, which may continue into adult life. Pituitary deficits can evolve over time, with unpredictable patterns resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Hypopituitarism and hypothalamic dysfunction may be associated with challenging comorbidities such as obesity, learning difficulties, behavioral issues, sleep disturbance, and visual impairment. Transition is the purposeful planned movement of adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions from child-centered to adult-oriented health care systems with a shift from parent- to patient-focused care. To achieve effective transition within a health care setting, the inherent challenges involved in the evolution from a dependent child to an independent adult must be recognized. Transition is a critical time medically for patients with hypopituitarism. Complex issues with respect to puberty, attainment of optimal stature, adherence to treatment, and acceptance of the need for life-sustaining medications need to be addressed. For health care professionals, transition is an opportunity for reassessment of the pituitary deficits and the need for lifelong replacement therapies, often against a background of complex psychological issues. We present 4 illustrative cases of hypopituitarism of differing etiologies with diverse clinical presentations. Diagnostic and management processes from clinical presentation to young adulthood are discussed, with a particular focus on needs and outcomes through transition.