Real-world clinical experience with weekly somatrogon in pediatric growth hormone deficiency: A French longitudinal

Isabelle Flechtner1, Catherine Brue1, Frédérique Gastaud1

  • 1Association Française des Pédiatres Endocrinologues Libéraux (AFPEL), 150, rue de Charenton, 72012 Paris, France.

Insights

Weekly somatrogon showed effectiveness in pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) patients, but caused rapid BMI increase and higher discontinuation rates in those switching from daily growth hormone (dGH). Careful monitoring and education are recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) impacts pediatric growth and development.
  • Current treatments for GHD include daily growth hormone (dGH) injections.
  • Weekly somatrogon offers a potential alternative for GHD management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the real-world effectiveness, safety, and metabolic impact of weekly somatrogon in pediatric GHD patients.
  • To compare outcomes between treatment-naive patients and those switching from dGH.
  • To identify factors influencing treatment response and adverse events.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective and prospective observational cohort study with up to 24 months follow-up.
  • 163 pediatric patients with GHD included: 92 treatment-naive, 71 switched from dGH.
  • Monitored growth parameters, BMI z-scores, IGF1 levels, and adverse events; used multivariate regression for BMI predictors.

Main Results:

  • Height gain was 10.0 cm/year in naive and 7.0 cm/year in switch patients.
  • Significant biphasic BMI z-score increase (+0.81 SD) observed, stabilizing after 14 months.
  • 15% discontinuation rate, higher in switch group (22.5%), mainly due to injection site pain and weight gain; lipoatrophy in 15 patients.

Conclusions:

  • Somatrogon demonstrated comparable growth to dGH but led to rapid BMI catch-up and higher discontinuation in switch patients.
  • Prioritize nutritional monitoring and injection site rotation education to mitigate BMI increase and local adverse effects.
  • Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess metabolic changes and body composition accurately.
Abstract

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