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Changes in body composition of children with chronic renal failure during growth hormone treatment
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) therapy improved weight and height in children with chronic renal failure (CRF). However, it did not significantly increase lean body mass (LBM) or fat body mass (FBM).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) is known for its lipolytic and anabolic effects.
- Children with chronic renal failure (CRF) often experience growth deficits and altered body composition.
- Understanding GH's impact on body composition in CRF is crucial for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 1-year daily growth hormone (GH) treatment on body composition in children with chronic renal failure (CRF).
- To assess changes in fat body mass (FBM), lean body mass (LBM), and bone mineral density (BMD).
Main Methods:
- Children with CRF received daily GH treatment for one year.
- Body composition was assessed using skinfold measurements for FBM, total body potassium (TBK) and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) for LBM, and dual photon absorptiometry for BMD.
- Z-scores were calculated to compare changes against a normal population.
Main Results:
- GH treatment positively impacted weight, height, and MAMC.
- No significant changes were observed in LBM (as reflected by TBK), FBM, or BMD.
- TBK levels decreased during the treatment period, despite no significant change in weight z-scores.
Conclusions:
- Daily GH therapy in children with CRF improves certain anthropometric measures like weight and height.
- GH treatment did not lead to a significant increase in lean body mass (LBM) or fat body mass (FBM) in this cohort.
- The findings suggest that GH therapy's anabolic effects on LBM may be limited in CRF patients compared to other populations.
Abstract:
Growth hormone (GH) has different known metabolic effects, among which are lipolysis and anabolic action. We have studied the changes in body composition of children with chronic renal failure (CRF) after 1 year of daily treatment with GH. Body fat percentage and fat body mass (FBM) were derived from four site skinfold measurements; lean body mass (LBM) from total body potassium (TBK) and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC); bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual photon absorptiometry. GH treatment had a positive effect on weight, height and MAMC, but no effect on LBM (as reflected by TBK), FBM and BMD. Z-scores were derived in order to compare subjects with a normal population. While no significant change in z-score was noticed for weight, height, MAMC, FBM and BMD, TBK decreased during treatment. We conclude that GH therapy does not ultimately increase LBM in CRF patients compared with other GH-treated groups.