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Recombinant human growth hormone treatment in children with thalassemia major

A Arcasoy1, G Ocal, S Kemahli

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|January 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) effectively treats growth retardation in prepubertal children with thalassemia. This study shows rhGH significantly increases growth velocity in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Hematology
  • Growth Hormone Therapy

Background:

  • Thalassemia is associated with growth retardation in prepubertal children.
  • Evaluating growth hormone (GH) reserve is crucial for managing short stature in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess growth hormone reserve in prepubertal thalassemic children.
  • To determine the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment for growth retardation.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 20 prepubertal thalassemic children with short stature.
  • Patients were divided into two groups: one receiving rhGH (Genotropin, 0.7 IU/kg/week for 12 months) and a control group.
  • Growth velocity and height standard deviation scores were monitored over 12 months.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in growth velocity was observed in the rhGH-treated group (from 2.47 cm/year to 6.27 cm/year, P=0.005).
  • The rhGH group showed significantly greater height velocity compared to the control group (6.27 cm/year vs 3.99 cm/year, P=0.025).
  • Significant differences in height velocity improvement and standard deviation scores were noted between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a safe and effective treatment for growth retardation in prepubertal children with thalassemia.
  • rhGH therapy can significantly improve growth outcomes in this patient population.
Abstract

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