The history, physiology and treatment safety of growth hormone

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Growth hormone (GH) therapy, initiated in the 1950s, initially targeted growth disturbances and metabolic issues.
• Treatment indications have broadened significantly over decades.
• Many children now receive GH treatment for short stature not solely due to GH deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the history and physiology of growth hormone treatment.
• To evaluate the long-term safety of growth hormone therapy.
• To focus on risks including mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, and cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical data and physiological studies.
• Analysis of safety data focusing on long-term outcomes.
• Examination of expanded treatment indications and their implications.

Main Results:

• Growth hormone treatment has evolved from treating severe deficiency to broader applications.
• Long-term safety concerns include potential risks of mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
• The expansion of indications necessitates a thorough understanding of these risks.

Conclusions:

• Continuous long-term follow-up is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of growth hormone treatment safety.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term risks associated with current treatment practices.
• Evidence-based guidelines should evolve with ongoing safety data.