A model for the height growth curve in children with end stage renal failure

Modeling is essential to the study of dynamic processes such as height growth. The growth retardation is one of the greatest problem in children with end stage renal failure (ESRF). Different growth retardation degrees are observed, however the variability is still unexplained. The goal of this work is to validate a mathematical model and to use it to set up different height growth profiles in a non suggestive manner. JPPS model parameters are identified by the Gauss-Marquardt method. A cluster analysis is performed to detect three different growth profiles. They distinguish themselves by the importance of growth retardation and by the intensity of the pubertal spurt. That research has provided physicians with a tool for analysing the height growth. Furthermore it will allow one to identify the clinical parameters corresponding to the identified growth profiles, in order to define an effective therapeutic strategy.