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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Growth hormone therapy in neonatal patients with methylmalonic acidemia
Chuan-Hong Kao1, Mei-Ying Liu, Tze-Tze Liu
1Department of Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Background:
Information regarding growth hormone (GH) therapy in neonatal patients with methylmalonic academia (MMA) is lacking. We present our experience with GH therapy in neonatal patients with MMA.
Methods:
Four neonatal patients with mut 0 type MMA were identified through newborn screening for elevated propionylcarnitine (C3) levels. GH therapy (0.6 IU/kg/week, subcutaneously) was prescribed for patient 1 after 1 month of admission, and was prescribed for patients 2, 3 and 4 on the 1st day of admission. We evaluated weight, skin erosion, hospital stay, and serum levels of C3 after GH therapy.
Results:
All of the neonatal patients with MMA displayed obvious weight gain and distinct improvement in skin erosions after GH therapy. The duration of hospital stay for patients 2, 3 and 4 was reduced compared to that of patient 1. However, the metabolic effects of GH therapy on reducing serum levels of C3 seem to be indeterminate.
Conclusion:
Our clinical findings suggest that GH therapy has potentially beneficial effects on neonatal patients with MMA.
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