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Serum leptin in short children born small for gestational age: dose-dependent effect of growth hormone treatment

M C Boguszewski1, F de Zegher, K Albertsson-Wikland

  • 1International Pediatric Growth Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden. margabogus@bol.com.br

Hormone Research
|May 18, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) treatment transiently reduces serum leptin levels in short children born small for gestational age (SGA) in a dose-dependent manner. Leptin levels returned to baseline after GH treatment withdrawal.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Growth Hormone Therapy

Background:

  • Children born small for gestational age (SGA) often experience growth issues.
  • Leptin, a hormone regulating appetite and metabolism, plays a role in growth.
  • Understanding leptin dynamics during growth hormone (GH) treatment is crucial for SGA children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of varying growth hormone (GH) regimens on serum leptin levels.
  • To assess leptin level changes in short prepubertal children born small for gestational age (SGA).

Main Methods:

  • Multicenter trials involving 78 short prepubertal SGA children.
  • Randomization to untreated or GH treatment groups (0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 IU/kg/day) for 2 years.
  • Follow-up treatment and discontinuation phases were implemented.

Main Results:

  • A significant, dose-dependent decrease in serum leptin was observed during the first year of GH therapy.
  • Leptin levels decreased by 13%, 23%, and 32% with increasing GH doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 IU/kg).
  • Upon cessation of high-dose GH treatment, serum leptin levels reverted to pretreatment levels within one year.

Conclusions:

  • Growth hormone (GH) treatment induces a transient, dose-dependent reduction in serum leptin in short SGA children.
  • The most significant alterations in serum leptin occurred within the first year of initiating and withdrawing GH therapy.
Abstract

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