The optimal vitamin D3 concentration correlates with a better efficacy of growth hormone treatment in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble compounds, the most common form of this group is cholecalciferol so-called 25(OH) vitamin D3.Studies conducted in the recent years have been concentrated on the potential pleiotropic effects of vitamin D3 and its adequate supplementation.It has to be underlined however that vitamin D plays a significant role in the development of bones and the proper running of the metabolic processes within them.The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of vitamin D3 in the first year of rhGH therapy in case of children with GHD.Material and methods.The study involved 70 children aged 3.9 to 10.9 years (x = 7.55 ± 1.91 years) with the GHD.The anthropometric parameters, current height velocity were measured at each visit (before treatment, at 6 and 12 moths).Blood samples were taken to indicate the concentration of: vitamin D3, IGF-1, IGFBP-3.Results.A significant (p <0.0001) improvement in the height velocity was observed after a year's treatment with rhGH, especially within the first 6 months of therapy was, which resulted in improvement (p <0.0001) of patients' height.