Unexpected healing of cutaneous ulcers in a short child

A boy aged 10 years was referred to the Paediatric Department of Milan University Hospital, Milan, Italy, with a long history of pain in the lower limbs, alleviated only by exposure to cold. His legs were swollen, with multiple cutaneous ulcers. He had severe painful crises, and was totally incapacitated. After the diagnosis of erythermalgia was made, numerous treatments were tried, but none were successful. After finding growth hormone (GH) deficiency, we started treatment with recombinant GH. He had immediate relief of pain and complete healing of ulcers. We postulate that the healing of the ulcers can be attributed to the GH-promoting effect on dermal connective tissue.