Initiating growth hormone therapy for children and adolescents

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Pharmacological Treatment Adherence
• Growth Hormone Therapy

Background:

• Children and adolescents on growth hormone (GH) treatment frequently miss injections, negatively affecting linear growth.
• Treatment concordance is influenced by patient education and support in choosing GH injection devices.
• Current practices for initiating GH therapy in the UK show inconsistencies, lacking standardized clinical recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify issues in the initiation of GH therapy for pediatric patients in the UK.
• To develop practical recommendations for healthcare professionals starting long-term GH treatment in children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Review of current practices in initiating GH therapy across the UK.
• Development of evidence-based recommendations for patient education and device selection support.
• Consultation with healthcare professionals involved in pediatric GH therapy.

Main Results:

• Significant inconsistencies were found in the process of starting GH therapy nationwide.
• A lack of clinical guidelines for initiating pediatric GH treatment was identified.
• Practical recommendations were developed to address these identified issues.

Conclusions:

• Standardized protocols and improved patient support are crucial for optimizing GH therapy outcomes.
• Addressing inconsistencies in GH therapy initiation can improve treatment adherence and linear growth in pediatric patients.
• The developed recommendations aim to support healthcare professionals in providing effective long-term GH treatment.