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Growth hormone therapy in chronic renal failure induces catch-up of head circumference

M Van Dyck1, W Proesmans

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|August 25, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy significantly improves head circumference in children with chronic renal failure (CRF). This growth hormone treatment also enhances height but has a lesser effect on head size compared to height.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Chronic renal failure (CRF) can impact growth and development in prepubertal children.
  • Growth hormone deficiency is a potential complication of CRF.
  • Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is used to treat growth issues in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of rhGH on head circumference growth in prepubertal patients with CRF.
  • To assess changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) alongside head circumference during rhGH treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 21 prepubertal patients with CRF, treated with rhGH for 12-24 months.
  • Measurements of head circumference, height, weight, and BMI were taken before and during rhGH therapy.
  • Patients were categorized based on age (under/over 5 years) to analyze differences in head circumference changes.

Main Results:

  • Mean height standard deviation score (SDS) significantly increased from -2.29 to -1.07 after 2 years of rhGH therapy.
  • Mean head circumference SDS improved significantly from -2.04 to -1.45 after 1 year.
  • Head circumference growth showed age-dependent responses, with younger children exhibiting faster significant increases.

Conclusions:

  • rhGH therapy significantly improves head circumference SDS in prepubertal children with CRF.
  • While rhGH enhances head circumference, the effect is less pronounced than that observed for height SDS.
  • The findings support the use of rhGH for improving growth parameters in pediatric CRF patients.

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