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Short-term cyproheptadine therapy in underweight children: effects on growth and serum insulin-like growth factor-I

Pat Mahachoklertwattana1, Santhira Wanasuwankul, Preamrudee Poomthavorn

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. rapmw@mahidol.ac.th

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|July 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cyproheptadine therapy significantly improved growth and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in underweight children. This appetite stimulant enhanced both weight and height velocity, offering a potential therapeutic benefit.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutrition

Background:

  • Cyproheptadine is an appetite stimulant used for underweight children, with known growth-promoting effects.
  • Concerns exist regarding its potential to inhibit growth hormone (GH) secretion.
  • The impact of cyproheptadine on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a key mediator of GH action, remains undocumented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of cyproheptadine on growth parameters and serum IGF-I concentrations in underweight children.
  • To assess whether cyproheptadine influences IGF-I levels, a critical factor in growth.
  • To evaluate the overall impact of cyproheptadine on the growth velocity of children with poor appetite.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 21 underweight children.
  • Participants were assigned to either a cyproheptadine group (n=10) or a placebo group (n=11).
  • Treatment duration was 4 months, with serum IGF-I levels measured for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Children receiving cyproheptadine demonstrated significantly greater weight and height velocities compared to the placebo group.
  • Serum IGF-I z-scores were notably higher in the cyproheptadine intervention group.
  • These findings indicate a positive effect of cyproheptadine on growth markers.

Conclusions:

  • Cyproheptadine therapy effectively increases caloric intake and serum IGF-I concentration in underweight children.
  • The observed increase in IGF-I correlates with enhanced growth velocity.
  • Cyproheptadine shows promise as a therapeutic agent for improving growth in underweight pediatric populations.
Abstract

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