The final results of long-term continuous treatment with human GH in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) are described. Untreated patients with isolated idiopathic GHD average about -6 SD height at maturity; our patients averaged about -2 SD. The statistics appear to show that what is important is starting treatment before the child has fallen much below the normal centiles for height and this usually means before age two or three in idiopathic cases. Ascertainment through an effective system of primary care is more important than an elaboration treatment schedules.