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Long-term effectiveness of growth hormone therapy in children born small for gestational age: An analysis of LG
Hae Sang Lee1, Change Dae Kum1, Jung Gi Rho1
1Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) treatment significantly improved growth in children born small for gestational age (SGA). A predictive model was developed to optimize GH treatment outcomes for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Growth Disorders
Background:
- Short stature in children born small for gestational age (SGA) is a clinical concern.
- Growth hormone (GH) therapy is a common treatment modality for SGA-induced short stature.
- Long-term efficacy and predictive modeling of GH treatment in SGA children require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of GH treatment in improving growth in children born SGA.
- To develop a predictive model for estimating growth response to GH therapy in SGA children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from a multicenter observational clinical trial (NCT01604395).
- Inclusion of 152 children born SGA.
- Development of a prediction model for height velocity using clinical and treatment parameters in prepubertal SGA children.
Main Results:
- GH treatment led to a significant increase in height standard deviation score (SDS) from -2.55 to -1.13 after 3 years.
- A predictive equation for height velocity was established, incorporating initial height SDS, GH dose, TH SDS, age, and weight SDS.
- The model demonstrated potential utility in forecasting individual growth responses.
Conclusions:
- GH treatment is effective in improving growth outcomes for short children born SGA.
- The developed prediction model offers a valuable tool for personalizing GH treatment strategies and optimizing growth in SGA populations.
Purpose:
Growth hormone (GH) treatment has been used to improve growth in short children who were born small for gestational age (SGA). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term efficacy of GH treatment in these children.
Methods:
Data from a multicenter observational clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01604395, LG growth study) were analyzed for growth outcome and prediction model in response to GH treatment. One hundred fifty-two children born SGA were included.
Results:
The mean age of patients born SGA was 7.13 ± 2.59 years. Height standard deviation score (SDS) in patients born SGA increased from -2.55 ± 0.49 before starting treatment to -1.13 ± 0.76 after 3 years of GH treatment. Of the 152 patients with SGA, 48 who remained prepubertal during treatment used model development. The equation describing the predicted height velocity during 1st year of GH treatment is as follows: the predictive height velocity (cm) = 10.95 + [1.12 x Height SDS at initial treatment (score)] + [0.03 x GH dose (ug/kg/day)] + [0.30 x TH SDS at initial treatment (score)] + [0.05 x age (year)] + [0.15 x Weight SDS at initial treatment (score)] ± 1.51 cm.
Conclusions:
GH treatment improved growth outcome in short children born SGA. We also developed a prediction model that is potentially useful in determining the optimal growth outcome for each child born SGA.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01604395.
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