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Growth and body composition in very young SGA children

Jesús Argente1, Otto Mehls, Vicente Barrios

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Nino Jesús, 28009 Madrid, Spain. argentefen@terra.es

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|January 29, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) may experience short stature but often benefit from growth hormone (GH) therapy. Further research is needed to determine if SGA increases risks for chronic kidney disease complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Infants born with very low birth weight or small for gestational age (SGA) face risks of reduced nephron count, leading to kidney disorders, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
  • While most SGA infants are not growth hormone (GH)-deficient, they may exhibit GH resistance, impacting growth.
  • Congenital chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with subnormal birth size, with approximately 25% of affected infants being SGA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of growth hormone (GH) therapy in SGA infants, particularly those with short stature.
  • To investigate the correlation between birth weight, gestational age, and the need for GH treatment in children with congenital CKD.
  • To analyze whether being small for gestational age (SGA) is an independent risk factor for developing hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular complications in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing data on SGA infants treated with GH therapy.
  • Analysis of growth patterns and outcomes in children with congenital CKD, focusing on SGA status.
  • Correlation analysis between birth parameters (weight, gestational age) and response to GH treatment in CKD patients.

Main Results:

  • The majority of GH-resistant SGA infants benefit from GH therapy, achieving normal height and growth velocity.
  • GH therapy has demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no significant adverse effects reported.
  • Short stature and the requirement for GH treatment in infants with CKD are strongly linked to their birth weight and gestational age.

Conclusions:

  • Growth hormone (GH) therapy is effective and safe for SGA infants experiencing short stature, even with GH resistance.
  • Primary renal disorders can influence the response to GH treatment.
  • Further investigation is required to ascertain if SGA poses an additional risk for CKD-related cardiovascular and metabolic complications.

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