Final height was evaluated in 369 patients with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) enrolled in KIGS--the Pharmacia & Upjohn International Growth Database. At the start of growth hormone (GH) therapy, the patients were 9.8 years of age, their mid-parental height SDS was -0.8, and their height SDS was -3.1. Of the 369 patients, 50% had multiple hormone deficiencies, and puberty was induced in 31%. Patients were 18 years of age at completion of GH therapy, and had received GH at a dose of 0.49 IU/kg/week (0.16 mg/kg/week), with a mean of 5.2 injections/week for 8.1 years. Final height SDS was -1.5, final minus initial height SDS was 1.7 and final minus mid-parental height SDS was -0.5. A Swedish subgroup (n = 69) received conventional GH therapy throughout at 0.65 IU/kg/week (0.22 mg/kg/week), with seven injections/week for a mean of 9.4 years. These patients achieved their genetic potential (final minus mid-parental height SDS, 0.03), with a normal final height SDS of -0.3. For the total group, the following variables were associated with final height: mid-parental height SDS (r = 0.62), injection frequency (r = 0.37), duration of GH treatment (r = 0.28), peak stimulated GH concentration (r = -0.25), age (r = -0.19) (all p