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Growth hormone treatment in pediatrics: What can we improve?

Alicia Pérez-Pérez1, Aroa Alonso Alonso1, Andrea González García1

  • 1Unidad de Endocrinología Pediátrica, Área de Gestión Clínica de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.

Endocrinologia, Diabetes Y Nutricion
|May 20, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) treatment is effective and safe, but initiation age is often delayed, particularly for small for gestational age (SGA) patients. Early treatment improves height outcomes, necessitating better pediatrician-endocrinologist coordination.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth Hormone Therapy
  • Pediatric Health Outcomes

Background:

  • Growth hormone (GH) deficiency and other indications require timely intervention for optimal outcomes.
  • Current treatment protocols aim to improve growth and development in pediatric patients.
  • Assessing treatment initiation age and response is crucial for refining clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the age of initiating GH treatment across approved indications.
  • To evaluate treatment response and identify areas for improvement.
  • To compare outcomes based on the timing of GH therapy initiation.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive, observational, retrospective study was conducted.
  • 111 pediatric patients receiving GH treatment in December 2020 were analyzed.
  • Data were collected from a tertiary care hospital's Pediatric Endocrinology Unit.

Main Results:

  • The mean age for starting GH treatment was 6.6 years, with delays noted across all diagnostic groups.
  • Growth hormone deficiency was the most frequent indication (54%).
  • Early GH treatment initiation correlated with significantly greater height z-score increases, especially in GH-deficient patients. No adverse effects were reported.

Conclusions:

  • GH therapy is effective and safe for approved pediatric indications.
  • Delayed initiation of GH treatment is a significant issue across all indications, particularly for small for gestational age (SGA) patients.
  • Improved coordination between primary care pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists, alongside enhanced training for early diagnosis, is essential for optimizing GH treatment outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Diagnostic delayDéficit de GHGH deficiencyGrowth hormone (GH)Hormona de crecimiento (GH)Pequeño para edad gestacional (PEG)Retraso diagnósticoShort statureSmall for gestational age (SGA)Talla baja

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