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Effects of growth hormone on cognitive, motor, and behavioral development in Prader-Willi syndrome children: a
Yunyun Luo1, Zhoude Zheng2, Yingying Yang1
1Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Research Center for Behavior Medicine in Growth and Development, Beijing, China.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) therapy significantly improves motor development in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). However, this meta-analysis found no evidence of GH impacting cognitive or behavioral development in PWS children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Genetics and Genetic Diseases
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder affecting multiple body systems.
- Growth hormone (GH) therapy is standard for PWS, but its effects on neurodevelopment remain debated.
- Quantifying GH's impact on cognitive, motor, and behavioral outcomes is crucial for optimizing PWS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis evaluating the effects of GH therapy on cognitive, motor, and behavioral development in children with PWS.
- To provide quantitative evidence on GH's efficacy beyond physical growth in PWS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on GH therapy in PWS children.
- Inclusion of 10 studies with data from 302 participants.
- Pooled effect sizes using a random-effects model, with Hedges'g for intervention effects.
Main Results:
- GH treatment showed a significant positive effect on motor development in PWS children (Hedges'g = 0.71, p < 0.001).
- No significant differences were observed in cognitive performance between GH-treated and control groups (p = 0.197).
- Objective behavioral assessments revealed no significant differences between GH and control groups (p = 0.53).
Conclusions:
- GH therapy significantly enhances motor development in children with PWS.
- Current evidence does not support a beneficial effect of GH on cognitive or behavioral development in PWS.
- Further research may clarify potential long-term neurodevelopmental impacts of GH in PWS.
Purpose:
The benefits of growth hormone (GH) therapy in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) children are well established, but there is still considerable controversy regarding whether GH treatment can improve cognitive, motor, and behavioral development in PWS children. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to quantitatively evaluate the effects of GH on cognitive, motor function, and behavioral development in PWS children.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of GH on cognitive, motor, and behavioral development in PWS children were identified by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Intervention effects were represented by Hedges'g and pooled to calculate effect sizes using a random-effects model.
Results:
Ten relevant studies comprising data from 302 participants were finally included. We observed no significant difference in cognitive performance between the GH treatment group and the control group (p = 0.197). GH treatment was shown to remarkably improve motor development in PWS children compared with the control treatment (p < 0.001), with moderate positive treatment effects (Hedges'g [95% CI] = 0.71 [0.38, 1.03]). There were no significant differences between the GH group and the control group based on objective assessments of behavioral development (p = 0.53).
Conclusions:
The meta-analysis suggested that GH treatment had a significantly positive effect on motor development, with moderate treatment effects in PWS children; however, there was no evidence of effects on cognitive or behavioral development.
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