ABSTRACT
Before 1985, cadaveric pituitaries constituted the only source of growth hormone (GH) for the endocrine management of growth failure and short stature (SS). Because supplies of the hormone were extremely limited during that treatment era, the eligibility of patients was, understandably, guided by the principle of hormone-replacement. Thus, only those youth exhibiting “classical” GH- deficiency in pharmacological challenge tests were routinely eligible for treatment; even then, supplies were frequently inadequate so that only a minority of those treated ever achieved their full genetic potential for adult height (Dean, 1990).
