The goal of this research was to follow up with children under the age of 16 who were given a diagnosis between 1992 and 2004. Growth measurements (height, weight, and body mass index, or BMI) converted to z-scores were recorded and evaluated in conjunction with demographics, illness characteristics, and treatment outcomes at the time of diagnosis, 1 and 5 years after therapy initiation, and at age 18. Initiating treatment at a median age of 12.85 years (IQR 8.68 years to 13.97 years), 74 patients (35 female patients) were followed for a total of 12.07 years (IQR 8.68 years to 13.97 years) (IQR 9.44 years to 14.14 years). Height, weight, and body mass index average z-scores were all within the normal range across all time points, indicating healthy nutritional status. Changes in z-scores for weight, height, and body mass index from the time of diagnosis to age 18 were similar across gender (male vs. female), ethnicity (Caucasian vs. non-Caucasian), diagnosis (AIH vs. ASC), and the presence of inflammatory bowel disease (n=23). It was found that the z-score difference between the younger and older age groups was less for both height and weight (P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, there was a positive link between the age at the commencement of steroid treatment and the change in height z-score (r=0.321, P<0.05), and a negative correlation between the length of steroid therapy and the change in height z-score (r=-0.321, P<0.05).
Source – journals.lww.com/jpgn/Abstract/2022/09000/Long_Term_Growth_in_Children_and_Young_People_with.6.aspx
