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Endocrine therapy for growth retardation in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Mabrouka A Altowati1, Richard K Russell, S Faisal Ahmed
1Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill, Glasgow, G3 8SJ, UK.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially Crohn's disease (CD), often experience growth failure. This review examines evidence for growth impairment in IBD and discusses potential growth-promoting therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease (CD), is associated with significant growth impairment in children.
- Multifactorial causes include poor nutrition, chronic inflammation, and corticosteroid use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on growth deficits in pediatric IBD patients.
- To discuss the rationale and evidence for growth-promoting therapies in this population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on growth in pediatric IBD.
- Analysis of factors contributing to growth failure.
- Evaluation of existing data on endocrine and growth-promoting therapies.
Main Results:
- Children with IBD, including CD, frequently exhibit reduced linear growth and final adult height.
- Current treatment advances have not fully resolved growth deficits in many pediatric IBD cohorts.
- Limited evidence currently supports the efficacy of endocrine therapy specifically for improving growth in IBD.
Conclusions:
- Growth impairment remains a critical concern in pediatric IBD.
- Further research is needed to establish effective growth-promoting strategies for children with IBD.
Abstract:
Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn's disease (CD), can potentially cause growth failure during childhood as well as a reduction in final adult height. The underlying mechanism is multifactorial and includes poor nutrition, chronic inflammation, and the prolonged use of steroids. Despite major advances in the treatment of CD, current cohorts of children continue to display a deficit in linear growth and may qualify for growth-promoting hormonal therapy. However, currently there is limited evidence to support the use of endocrine therapy directed primarily at improving growth. This review is aimed at summarising the current evidence for growth impairment in inflammatory bowel disease and discusses the rationale for using growth promoting therapy.
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