Growth hormone treatment of renal growth failure during infancy and early childhood

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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
11:17

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Doris Franke, Miroslav Zivicnjak, Jochen H H Ehrich

    Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
    |April 16, 2009
    PubMed

    Insights

    Early recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy can improve final height in infants with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This safe and effective treatment offers benefits including reduced costs and improved psychosocial outcomes.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Nephrology
    • Endocrinology
    • Growth Medicine

    Background:

    • Growth failure in infants and toddlers with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a significant challenge despite advances in treatment.
    • Early growth deficit is a key factor contributing to impaired final height in pediatric CKD patients.

    Discussion:

    • Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy is proposed as an early intervention for infants experiencing growth failure.
    • Candidates for rhGH therapy include infants with delayed growth, sufficient caloric intake, and stable bone metabolism.
    • Growth retardation at birth may serve as a predictive factor for rhGH treatment selection.

    Key Insights:

    • Limited data suggest rhGH is effective and safe for young children with CKD.
    • Early rhGH use requires lower dosages, reducing treatment costs and facilitating earlier renal transplantation.
    • Initiating rhGH therapy early improves psychosocial well-being and potentially final adult height.

    Outlook:

    • A multi-center randomized controlled study is needed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of early rhGH therapy in infants with CKD.

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