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Updated: Sep 10, 2026
Murine Renal Transplantation Procedure
Published on: July 10, 2009
Recombinant human growth hormone post-renal transplantation in children: a randomized controlled study of the NAPRTCS
Richard N Fine1, Donald Stablein, Arthur H Cohen
1Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8111, USA. richard.fine@sunysb.edu
Insights
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) effectively improves growth in pediatric kidney transplant patients without increasing adverse events or rejection risk. This study demonstrates rhGH
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Growth retardation is common in pediatric renal allograft recipients.
- Multifactorial causes include corticosteroids, poor graft function, and growth hormone/growth factor axis issues.
- Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) shows potential but carries risks of allograft dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhGH in growth-retarded pediatric renal allograft recipients.
- To assess the impact of rhGH on growth velocity and allograft function.
- To determine if rhGH increases the risk of rejection episodes.
Main Methods:
- A one-year randomized controlled study.
- Sixty-eight growth-retarded pediatric renal allograft recipients were enrolled.
- Protocol biopsies were performed before enrollment.
Main Results:
- Treatment group showed significant height improvement (delta SDS +0.49) vs. control (delta SDS -0.10).
- No rejection episodes occurred in the rhGH group during the first year.
- No significant difference in adverse events or later rejection episodes between groups.
Conclusions:
- rhGH is effective for improving growth velocity in pediatric renal allograft recipients.
- rhGH treatment is not associated with increased adverse events.
- rhGH appears safe and beneficial for growth in this patient population.
Background:
Growth retardation persists in renal allograft recipients despite successful transplantation. The etiology is multi-factorial including the adverse effects of corticosteroids, suboptimal allograft function, and perturbations of the GH/GF axis. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been effective in improving growth velocity; however, allograft dysfunction has been reported. Therefore, a randomized controlled study was undertaken.
Methods:
Sixty-eight growth retarded pediatric renal allograft recipients were enrolled in a one-year randomized controlled study to determine the efficacy and safety of rhGH. A protocol biopsy was performed prior to enrollment.
Results:
After one year, the delta SDS (standardized height) was +0.49 +/- 0.10 in the treatment group (N = 30) compared to -0.10 +/- 0.08 in the control group (N = 22; P < 0.001). During the first year, there were no rejection episodes in the treatment group and three in the control group. After the first year, when all recipients were receiving rhGH, there were three patients in the treatment group and two patients in the control group who experienced an acute rejection episode. Prior to enrollment, more than one acute rejection episode was predictive of a subsequent rejection following enrollment. There was no difference in adverse events between the two groups.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, rhGH is effective in improving the growth velocity of pediatric renal allograft recipients and is not associated with an increase in adverse events.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
01:16Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management