Validated multivariate models predicting the growth response to GH treatment in individual short children with a broad range in GH secretion capacities

The aim of the study was to develop and validate models that could predict the growth responses to GH therapy of individual children. Models for prediction of the initial one and 2-y growth response were constructed from a cohort of 269 prepubertal children (Model group) with isolated GH deficiency or idiopathic short stature, using a nonlinear multivariate data fitting technique, Five sets of clinical information were used. The "Basic model" was created using auxological data from the year before the start of GH treatment and parental heights. In addition to Basic model data, the other four models included growth data from the first 2 y of life, or IGF-I, or GH secretion estimated during a provocation test (AITT) or a spontaneous GH secretion profile, The performance of the models was validated by calculating the differences between predicted and observed growth responses in 149 new GH treated children (Validation group) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria used in the original cohort. The SD of these differences (SDres) in the validation group was compared with the SDres for the model group. For the Ist y, the SDres for the Basic model was 0.28 SDscores. The lowest SDres (0.19 SDscores), giving the most narrow prediction interval, was achieved adding the 24h GH profile and data on growth from the first 2 y of life to the Basic model. The models presented permit estimation of GH responsiveness in children over a broad range in GH secretion, and with an accuracy of the models substantially better than when using maximal GH response during an provocation test. The predicted individual growth response, calculated using a computer program, can serve as a guide for evidence-based decisions when selecting children to GH treatment.