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[Body composition and metabolic risk in small for gestational age children treated with growth hormone]

Esther Aurensanz Clemente1, Pilar Samper Villagrasa2, Ariadna Ayerza Casas3

  • 1Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital de Barbastro, Barbastro, Huesca, España.

Medicina Clinica
|July 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) treatment improved body composition in small for gestational age (SGA) children, reducing fat mass and increasing lean mass and bone mineral density (BMD). These changes may lower metabolic and cardiovascular risks in SGA children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Body Composition Analysis

Background:

  • Small for gestational age (SGA) children face elevated risks for metabolic syndrome.
  • Understanding body composition changes is crucial for managing long-term health in SGA individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of growth hormone (GH) treatment on body composition in SGA children.
  • To assess changes in bone mineral density (BMD), fat mass, and lean body mass.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 28 SGA children without catch-up growth received GH treatment.
  • Body composition was assessed annually for 3 years using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
  • Correlations between metabolic and body composition variables were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • GH treatment significantly reduced overall fat mass proportion (25.94% to 22.88%, P=.034).
  • Lean body mass increased in abdominal regions, and visceral fat tended to decrease.
  • Lumbar vertebrae BMD improved significantly (from -1.55 to -0.90 Z-score, P=.019).

Conclusions:

  • GH treatment positively alters body composition in SGA children, enhancing BMD and lean mass while reducing fat mass.
  • Sustained improvements may mitigate future metabolic and cardiovascular risks in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Birth weightBody compositionBody fatBone mineral contentComposición corporalContenido mineral óseoGrasa corporalPeso al nacer

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