[New findings and the potential use of the growth hormone]

Use and potential use of human growth hormone (GH). The benefit of GH in classical growth hormone deficiency is well known. For the past six years, the availability of biosynthetic human growth hormone has permitted the investigation of the effect of GH in a variety of growth disorders. GH has been shown to be helpful in children with idiopathic short stature, Turner's syndrome, neuroendocrine deficiency, and chronic renal insufficiency. Although the experience is limited, GH would appear helpful in short children with intrauterine growth retardation and Noonan's and Prader-Willi syndromes. GH increases muscle mass and strength and decreases fat mass in young adults with GHD and treatment is under consideration. One of the areas of present interest and potentially of great benefit is the use of growth hormone in catabolic conditions (burns, surgical operations, patients with a prolonged stay in intensive care units, malnourished patients and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In catabolic conditions, GH is effective in decreasing nitrogen loss, in maintaining nitrogen balance, even with hypocaloric diets, and in increasing protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass when combined with adequate nutrition. GH has proven helpful in inducing ovulation and improving fertility in patients with GHD and in patients with ovarian resistance to gonadotropins. The field of growth hormone therapy is expanding and potentially GH could be of benefit to many children and adults with a variety of disorders.