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Bacterial contamination of growth hormone solution and injection equipment during use by growth hormone deficient
M J Zweens1, N M Drayer, J Dankert
1Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
The growth hormone injection pen and conventional syringe methods showed similar bacterial contamination rates in a study of growth hormone deficient children. Both methods are suitable for growth hormone administration, emphasizing technique reassessment for safety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Microbiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Bacterial contamination of injection equipment poses a risk for patients using growth hormone therapy.
- Ensuring microbiological safety is crucial for children undergoing long-term growth hormone treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the bacterial contamination rates of growth hormone injection pens versus conventional syringes.
- To assess the suitability of the growth hormone injection pen for pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week crossover study involving 20 growth hormone deficient children.
- Randomized assignment to either the growth hormone injection pen or syringe method.
- Culturing of vials, pen-cartridges, syringes, and needles to detect bacterial contamination.
Main Results:
- Contamination rates for the pen method: 5.3% vials, 15.5% cartridges, 11.2% needles.
- Contamination rates for the syringe method: 3.5% vials, 7.1% syringes, 9.1% needles.
- No statistically significant difference in contamination between the pen and syringe methods.
Conclusions:
- The growth hormone injection pen is suitable for growth hormone administration.
- Regular patient instruction and technique reassessment are vital for microbiological safety.
- This recommendation applies even when using disposable injection materials.
Abstract:
The frequency of bacterial contamination of growth hormone solution and injection equipment use by 20 growth hormone deficient children was studied. In a cross-over study the children were randomized to begin using, for their growth hormone injections, either the recently developed growth hormone injection pen or the conventional syringe method. A comparison was then made of these two methods of injection over a 6-week period and the vials, pen-cartridges, syringes and needles were cultured. When the pen was used 5.3% of the 114 vials, 15.5% of the 110 cartridges and 11.2% of the 98 needles were found to be contaminated; when the syringe was used 3.5% of the 113 vials, 7.1% of the 98 syringes and 9.1% of the 99 needles were contaminated. To ensure microbiological safety during the preparation and injection of the growth hormone solution, regular instruction and reassessment of the injection technique for patients on long-term treatment are advocated. This applies even when disposable items are used. As no statistically significant difference was noted between the number of contaminated items used with either the pen or the syringe method, we conclude that the growth hormone pen is suitable for growth hormone administration.