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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
Published on: January 7, 2016
Growth hormone therapy
1Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) therapy significantly improves height outcomes in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Recombinant GH, administered subcutaneously, is now standard, with higher doses potentially enhancing results but increasing costs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) in children necessitates effective treatment for optimal height.
- Early GH therapies derived from human pituitary glands posed safety risks, including prion transmission.
- The advent of recombinant DNA technology revolutionized GH production and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements and current practices in GH therapy for pediatric GHD.
- To discuss the transition from pituitary-derived to recombinant GH and its implications.
- To evaluate the efficacy, dosing strategies, and expanded indications for GH therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical studies and therapeutic guidelines for GH therapy.
- Analysis of growth velocity data before and during GH treatment.
- Examination of safety profiles and the shift towards recombinant GH preparations.
Main Results:
- GH therapy significantly improves final height in children with GHD, often achieving the target height range.
- Recombinant GH administration (once-daily subcutaneous injection) is the established standard of care.
- Higher GH doses (e.g., 0.33 mg/kg/week) can further enhance growth velocity (10-12 cm/year initially, sustained at 7-8 cm/year).
Conclusions:
- GH therapy is a cornerstone in managing pediatric GHD, offering substantial height benefits.
- Continuous monitoring and individualized dosing are crucial for maximizing therapeutic outcomes.
- The availability of recombinant GH has expanded its use to various other pediatric growth disorders beyond GHD.
Abstract:
Growth hormone (GH) therapy has revolutionized treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Improved height outcome with final height in the target height range has been achieved in these children. Identification of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a deadly prion mediated disorder, in recipients of pituitary GH accelerated the transition from pituitary derived GH to recombinant GH. Once daily subcutaneous administration of the freeze-dried preparation at evening is the recommended mode of GH therapy. Studies have led to use of higher dose of GH for improving height outcome (0.33 mg/kg/week or 0.14 IU/kg/day) albeit at a significantly high cost. Growth velocity increases from 3-4 cm/year before therapy to 10-12 cm/year during the first two years of therapy and is maintained at 7-8 cm/year after a period of two years. Close follow-up with regular clinical and laboratory monitoring is essential for achieving a desirable height outcome. A theoretical unlimited supply has led to wide spread use of GH in a variety of disorders other than GHD. Initially started in children with Turner syndrome, GH has now been used in chronic renal failure, idiopathic short stature and intrauterine growth restriction besides a wide array of newly emerging indications.
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