Melanocytic Nevi in Children Treated With Growth Hormone

Abstract

There is concern that growth hormone (GH) therapy may influence the growth of melanocytic nevi. In a review of the experience of the National Cooperative Growth Study, we found no excess of skin cancer in children who were treated with GH. We also reviewed our experience in 90 children with GH deficiency and 24 with Turner syndrome. We found no difference in the nevi count between control subjects and children with GH deficiency, even after many years of GH therapy. Nor was there any relation between the duration of therapy and the nevi count. Children with Turner syndrome had more nevi, but there was no relation to the duration of GH therapy. These findings and the absence of a greater frequency of skin cancer in acromegaly are reassuring. It is unlikely that GH therapy has a significant influence on nevi count or the risk of skin cancer.