The growth profiles and growth hormone levels of children with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1) were analyzed at the University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX. Of 251 children attending the clinic with NF-1, 112 were at or below the 25th percentile for height. Of these, 51 were showing poor growth rates, without radiological evidence of suprasellar lesions. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD), with peak GH levels of less than 5 ng/ml, was determined in 15 of 19 tested. [1]
COMMENT. Growth hormone deficiency and short stature may be associated with neurofibromatosis 1, independent of organic pituitary lesions.