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[Growth hormone in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis]

Pollyana Garcia Amorim1, Thaís de Barros Mendes, Lílian Santiago Pinho de Oliveira

  • 1Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brasil. pollyanag@gmail.com

Arquivos Brasileiros De Endocrinologia E Metabologia
|January 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) shows promise for improving growth and body composition in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Short-term use enhanced height, weight, and lung function without observed adverse effects like diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, including the lungs and digestive system.
  • Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has shown potential in improving outcomes for children with CF.
  • Established literature on the routine use of rhGH in CF patients is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the benefits of rhGH in pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with CF.
  • To evaluate the impact of rhGH on growth parameters and pulmonary function in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and 2010.
  • Databases searched included PubMed, Lilacs, SciELO, and Cochrane.
  • Keywords used were "cystic fibrosis", "growth hormone", "children", and "adolescents".

Main Results:

  • Eleven RCTs involving 290 children and adolescents with CF were included.
  • Short-term rhGH administration (1-24 months) significantly improved height, weight, growth rate, and bone mineral content.
  • Improvements were also noted in components of pulmonary function.
  • No adverse effects, such as diabetes, were reported in the included studies.

Conclusions:

  • Short-term use of rhGH is effective in improving growth and body composition in pediatric and adolescent patients with CF.
  • rhGH demonstrates a favorable safety profile in the short term for this population.
  • Further research may be warranted to establish long-term efficacy and safety.

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