Favorable Impacts of Growth Hormone (GH) Replacement Therapy on Atherogenic Risks in Japanese Children with GH...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background:

• Growth hormone (GH) influences body composition and cardiovascular risk factors.
• GH deficiency in children can lead to dyslipidemia and increased atherogenic risk.
• Understanding the impact of GH replacement therapy on lipid profiles in pediatric GH deficiency is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of GH replacement therapy on lipid profiles and atherogenic risk factors in Japanese children with GH deficiency.
• To assess changes in Total Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDLC), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDLC), and atherogenic index over 3 years of treatment.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 158 Japanese children (103 boys, 55 girls) with GH deficiency was studied.
• Lipid profiles (TC, HDLC, LDLC) and atherogenic index were measured annually for 3 years.
• Data were analyzed to compare pre-treatment levels with those during GH replacement therapy.

Main Results:

• Mean baseline TC was within normal ranges, but a significant proportion of children had TC > 200 mg/dl.
• GH therapy led to a significant decrease in mean TC levels, particularly in girls and in patients with baseline hypercholesterolemia.
• Significant reductions in LDLC and atherogenic index were observed in girls, while HDLC remained unchanged in both sexes.

Conclusions:

• GH replacement therapy demonstrates beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and reduces atherogenic risk in children with GH deficiency.
• Early initiation of GH treatment is recommended to achieve optimal lipid metabolism benefits and mitigate cardiovascular risks.
• The findings support the use of GH therapy for improving metabolic health in pediatric GH deficiency.