Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)on idiopathic short stature in boys and its impact on serum metabolic biomarkers,insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1),and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3(IGFBP-3).Methods Eighty boys with idiopathic short stature who were admitted to Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2020 to April 2023 were enrolled.They were assigned to low-dose group(0.26 mg/kg per week,n=29),medium-dose group(0.35 mg/kg per week,n=27),and high-dose group(0.41 mg/kg per week,n=24)according to the therapeutic dose of rhGH.The treatment lasted for 1-2 years.Height,weight,growth velocity,height standard score,bone density,bone age,bone metabolisms(serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)-D],bone alkaline phosphatase[BAP],and osteocalcin[OC]),thyroid function(free triiodothyronine[FT3],free thyroxine[FT4],and thyroid-stimulating hormone[TSH]),IGF-1,and IGFBP-3 were compared among groups before and after treatment.Results The height,weight,growth velocity,height standard score,bone density,and bone age were increased in all the three groups after treatment(PTime<0.05).Serum 25(OH)-D,BAP,and osteocalcin were also significantly increased(PGroup<0.05,PTime<0.05).As the treatment progressed,serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels increased(PTime<0.05).The incidence of adverse reaction(joint pain,injection site edema,and hyperglycemia)in the high-dose group(25.00%)was higher than that in the low-dose group(13.79%)and medium-dose group(18.52%).Conclusion Medium and high doses of rhGH can more effectively improve bone density,serum IGF-1,and IGFBP-3 in boys with idiopathic short stature.It is recommended to choose an appropriate dose of rhGH based on the specific condition of boys with idiopathic short stature under the precondition of safety.