Can GH therapy improve final height after HCT?

Growth gains continued beyond the first year of treatment, while irradiation and other transplant-related factors influenced response.

By
Andrea Surnit
August 13, 2026
6 min

MDSpire News

Overview

Growth hormone (GH) therapy was associated with improved final adult height in patients who experienced short stature following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in childhood. The study highlighted significant variability in responses to GH therapy among patients.

Background

Growth deficiency is a notable late consequence for survivors of childhood HCT, impacting their adult height and overall health. This study provides insights into the factors influencing GH responsiveness and final height outcomes.

Data Highlights

Measure	GH Therapy	No GH Therapy
ΔSDS Improvement	0.94	-
Age at GH Initiation (median)	11.4 years	-
Follow-up Duration (median)	18.2 years	-

Key Findings

GH therapy resulted in a 0.94-SDS greater improvement in height compared to no therapy.
Patients who underwent HCT at age 5 years or older showed a 0.75-SDS greater improvement.
Total body irradiation (TBI) was linked to a 0.76-SDS lower ΔSDS.
Chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) was associated with a 0.60-SDS lower ΔSDS.
Absence of TBI and female sex were associated with more favorable responses to GH therapy.
GH therapy did not increase the risk of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, secondary malignancies, or relapse of primary disease.