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Response to Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rhGH) Therapy in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Maira Riaz1,2, Mohsina Noor Ibrahim1,2, Versha Rani Rai1,2
1Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
Recombinant human growth hormone therapy effectively improves growth in children with growth hormone deficiency. Early treatment, especially before age eight, leads to significantly better height outcomes in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Auxology
- Growth Hormone Therapy
Background:
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a significant cause of short stature in children.
- Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a key therapeutic agent for GHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the auxological response to rhGH therapy in Pakistani children with GHD.
- To identify factors influencing treatment outcomes in pediatric GHD.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted over two years (2022-2023) at the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi.
- Included 90 pre-pubertal children (aged 3-12 years) diagnosed with GHD, excluding those with other causes of short stature.
- Assessed growth parameters (height, weight, BMI) before and after one year of rhGH therapy.
Main Results:
- rhGH therapy showed statistically significant improvements in height, weight, and BMI (p <0.001) after one year.
- Treatment response was not significantly different based on gender or stimulated growth hormone levels.
- Children treated at age ≤8 years demonstrated significantly better outcomes in height, weight, and BMI compared to older children.
Conclusions:
- rhGH therapy is effective for achieving desirable growth in children with short stature due to GHD.
- Earlier diagnosis and treatment (≤8 years) are associated with superior auxological outcomes in pediatric GHD patients.
Objective:
To determine the auxological response to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) presenting at the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan.
Study Design:
Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2022 to December 2023.
Methodology:
All pre-pubertal children with short stature aged 3-12 years diagnosed with GHD and who were prescribed rhGH therapy were included in the study. Children with any other underlying reason for short stature or any other comorbidity were excluded. Patients' demographics and baseline growth parameters were recorded in a pre-designed proforma. Patients were then followed up every three months till one year. Response to rhGH therapy was evaluated through comparison of growth parameters before and after one year of therapy.
Results:
A total of 90 children including 47 (52.2%) males and 43 (47.8%) females with GHD were enrolled. Mean age of these patients was 7.92 ± 2.647 years. A statistically significant change in height (SD), Weight (SD), and BMI (SD) was observed before and after one year of therapy (p <0.001). Response to therapy in terms of height did not differ significantly with respect to gender (p = 0.955) or stimulated growth hormone levels (p = 0.911). However, response to rhGH therapy was significantly better in terms of increase in height, weight, and BMI in patients presenting earlier i.e. at age ≤8 years.
Conclusion:
Recombinant human growth hormone therapy was effective in children with short stature to achieve desirable growth. Children diagnosed and treated at a younger age (≤8years) achieve better height outcomes as compared to those presenting late.
Key Words:
Short stature, Growth hormone deficiency, Recombinant human growth hormone.
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