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Metabolic abnormalities in growth hormone deficiency

Roberto Lanes1

  • 1Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Hospital de Clinicas Caracas, Venezuela. lanes@telcel.net.ve

Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER
|January 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is linked to cardiovascular disease and bone issues. Growth hormone treatment shows promise in improving these cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Growth hormone (GH) plays a role in cardiovascular function, bone turnover, and mineral deposition.
  • Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both pediatric and adult populations.
  • GHD presents with metabolic abnormalities including dyslipidemia, increased adiposity, insulin resistance, and impaired cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of GHD on cardiovascular health and bone metabolism.
  • To summarize the cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of GHD.
  • To discuss the therapeutic benefits of GH treatment on these parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating GHD and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in GHD patients.
  • Evaluation of the effects of short and long-term GH treatment.

Main Results:

  • GHD is associated with elevated lipids, increased body fat, premature atherosclerosis, and impaired cardiac performance.
  • GH deficiency contributes to decreased fibrinolytic activity and increased peripheral insulin resistance.
  • GH therapy has demonstrated beneficial effects on several cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in GHD patients.

Conclusions:

  • GHD significantly increases cardiovascular risk and affects bone health.
  • GH treatment can ameliorate many of the adverse cardiovascular and metabolic sequelae of GHD.
  • Further investigation into metabolic changes in pediatric GHD is warranted.

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