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Published on: January 7, 2016
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.
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and metabolic impact of weekly somatrogon in pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in a real-world clinical setting.
Design:
A retrospective and prospective observational cohort study was conducted by the French Association of Private Pediatric Endocrinologists (AFPEL), up to 24 months' follow-up. Data were collected from between April to December 2025 for growth hormone deficient patients who started somatrogon treatment between May 2023 and December 2025, followed in private practice by an AFPEL member in all regions of France.
Methods:
A total of 163 children (mean age 9.7 years) were included: 92 treatment-naive and 71 switching from daily growth hormone (dGH). Growth parameters, BMI z-scores, IGF1 levels and adverse events were monitored. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of change in BMI.
Results:
Height growth during the first year was 10.0cm/year in naïve and 7.0cm/year in switch patients. A significant biphasic increase in BMI z-score was observed (mean gain +0.81 SD; P<0.001), stabilizing after 14 months. Baseline BMI was a strong negative predictor of weight gain. However, in the highest BMI quartile, switch patients showed significantly greater BMI increase than naive patients (P<0.05). The treatment discontinuation rate was 15%, and was more frequent in the switch group (22.5% vs. 4.3%), primarily due to injection site pain and weight gain. Localized lipoatrophy occurred in 15 patients due to poor site rotation, and a transient metallic taste was reported by 4 patients.
Conclusions:
Somatrogon was as effective as dGH on growth but was associated with rapid BMI catch-up and a high discontinuation rate in patients transitioning from dGH. Clinical management should prioritize nutritional monitoring and rigorous education on injection site rotation to limit the BMI increase and local adverse effects. Further longitudinal studies are essential to evaluate potential metabolic changes and assess body composition using standardized methods, as BMI alone lacks sufficient sensitivity.
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