Growth in pediatric heart transplantation

The control of linear growth from fetal life through adolescence is complex and variable. Many factors, intrinsic and extrinsic, can affect growth at all stages of transplant. In this review, we highlight the normal process of linear growth. We describe factors affecting growth before heart transplant and review the typical patterns of growth after transplant. We review ways to optimize growth during all stages of transplantation, and finally we highlight the limited experience with recombinant human growth hormone in heart and other solid organ transplants.