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Published on: January 7, 2016

First two years' response to growth hormone treatment in very young preterm small for gestational age children

R A M Garcia1, C A Longui, C Kochi

  • 1Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, Santa Casa de São Paulo Faculty of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil.

Hormone Research
|October 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) therapy effectively improves height in preterm small for gestational age (SGA) children. This treatment promotes growth without accelerating bone age or negatively impacting metabolism.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth Hormone Therapy
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Small for gestational age (SGA) children often require intervention for growth. Preterm SGA infants face additional risks for short stature.
  • Limited data exists on growth hormone (GH) efficacy in preterm SGA populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of GH treatment in preterm SGA children.
  • To assess growth, metabolic parameters, and bone age progression in treated preterm SGA patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 25 preterm SGA children (2-4 years old) received GH (0.066 mg/kg/day).
  • Growth, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, glucose, and insulin levels were monitored for two years.
  • Compared with 14 age-matched preterm SGA historical controls.

Main Results:

  • GH treatment led to significant height SDS increases of 1.3 and 2.1 in the first and second years, respectively.
  • Growth hormone therapy increased IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels without affecting bone age acceleration.
  • No adverse effects on glucose metabolism or insulin resistance were observed.

Conclusions:

  • GH treatment demonstrates comparable height gains in preterm SGA children to those seen in term SGA patients.
  • Short-term GH therapy is effective for promoting growth recovery in preterm SGA children aged 2-4 years.
  • GH therapy is safe regarding bone maturation and carbohydrate metabolism in this cohort.
Abstract

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