Reductions in estimated glomerular filtration rate during puberty in GH-treated children born small for gestational age are associated with prematurity and low birth weight, not the dosage of GH treatment.

GH treatment has been widely utilized for short-statured children born small for gestational age (SGA). Although SGA children are at a higher risk of renal dysfunction, the effect of GH treatment on renal function is still unclear. We have previously shown that GH treatment is not associated with renal dysfunction during the prepubertal period; however, its effect during the pubertal period has not been investigated. Accordingly, we herein retrospectively investigated creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) in 26 short-statured children born SGA during puberty, defined as the period between the onset of puberty and cessation of GH treatment, and their association with parameters at birth and GH treatment. We found that eGFR did not decrease during the pubertal period; however, gestational week and birth weight were negatively and significantly correlated with percentage decrease in eGFR during the pubertal period. The percentage decrease in eGFR did not correlate with changes in the insulin-like growth factor-1 standard deviation score or average weekly GH dose. In conclusion, GH treatment was not associated with a reduction in eGFR in short-statured SGA children during puberty. Since low birth weight and prematurity were associated with reductions in eGFR during puberty, monitoring for renal function was mandatory regardless of GH treatment in short-statured children born SGA.