The role of IGF1 in determining body composition in children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency and those with idiopathic short stature.

Children with GHD, including those undergoing rhGH treatment, may be at risk for increased adiposity and associated metabolic implications. Sex- and age-adjusted IGF1 levels were related to muscle mass but not to adiposity. Hence, rhGH treatment aimed at increasing IGF1 levels may alleviate these effects by promoting muscle growth.