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Clonidine accelerates growth in children with impaired growth hormone secretion
Lancet (London, England)
|June 29, 1985
Insights
Clonidine treatment improved growth hormone levels and stimulated linear growth in children with growth hormone deficiency and constitutional delay. This study highlights clonidine
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Growth Hormone Physiology
- Pharmacological Stimulation
Background:
- Growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) and constitutional growth delay (CGD) are common causes of short stature in children.
- Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for optimal growth outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of clonidine on growth hormone (GH) secretion and linear growth in children with IGHD and CGD.
- To assess the impact of clonidine on basal GH and somatomedin-C levels, as well as GH response to provocative tests.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 8 children (4 with IGHD, 4 with CGD).
- Treatment with clonidine (0.1 mg/m2 daily) for 60 days.
- Measurement of basal GH and somatomedin-C, and assessment of pituitary GH response to synthetic GH releasing factor and clonidine.
Main Results:
- Clonidine administration led to increased basal GH and somatomedin-C levels in 2 children with IGHD and all 4 with CGD.
- Enhanced pituitary GH response to provocative stimuli was observed.
- Significant stimulation of linear growth was noted in the treated children.
Conclusions:
- Clonidine is a potential therapeutic agent for enhancing GH secretion and promoting linear growth in select pediatric populations.
- Further research is warranted to establish optimal dosing and long-term efficacy.
Abstract:
4 children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) and 4 with constitutional growth delay (CGD) were treated with clonidine, 0.1 mg/m2 daily, for 60 days. In 2 children with IGHD and all 4 with CGD, basal growth hormone (GH) and somatomedin-C levels were increased, pituitary GH response to challenges with a synthetic pancreatic GH releasing factor and clonidine was enhanced, and linear growth was stimulated.