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[Advances in growth impairment associated with pediatric respiratory diseases]

Xiao-Wen Chen1, De-Hui Chen1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
|August 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric respiratory diseases impair growth by affecting key biological pathways. Early monitoring and targeted treatments, including growth hormone, can improve outcomes for children with growth retardation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Endocrinology
  • Growth Medicine

Background:

  • Pediatric respiratory diseases are linked to impaired growth.
  • Mechanisms include hypoxia, inflammation, metabolic issues, and medications affecting growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor axis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Summarize advances in understanding growth impairment in pediatric respiratory diseases.
  • Discuss intervention strategies for optimizing growth outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mechanistic advances.
  • Analysis of growth impairment in obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, chronic lung injury, and recurrent respiratory infections.
  • Discussion of intervention strategies.

Main Results:

  • Respiratory diseases suppress growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor axis and peripheral signaling, causing growth retardation.
  • Specific conditions discussed include obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, chronic lung injury, and recurrent respiratory infections.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing clinical management requires understanding pathophysiology.
  • Interventions include growth monitoring, etiology-targeted therapy, and standardized growth hormone use.
  • Management differs from idiopathic short stature.

Keywords:
ChildGrowth disorderRespiratory disease

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