Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in Growth Hormone–Deficient Patients

• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), a potentially disabling hip disorder, occurs primarily during the pubertal growth spurt. It has been reported in association with pituitary gigantism, growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and panhypopituitarism. We estimated the frequency of SCFE among children with growth hormone deficiency (treated or untreated) and compared it with the reported frequency of SCFE among Connecticut residents under 25 years of age. Based on this comparison, the risk of developing SCFE is significantly greater in growth hormone–deficient children than in the general population. ( AJDC 1985;139:396-399)