Five years experience with recombinant human growth hormone treatment of children with chronic renal failure

11 males, aged 2.5-16.3 years (6.8 +/- 4.1) with growth retardation (Standard Deviation Score--SDS > -2.00) consequent to chronic renal failure (CRF) received recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for 18 to 60 mo (40.9 +/- 15.4). Growth velocity (GV) increased from 5.4 +/- 2.2 for the year prior to rhGH to 8.9 +/- 1.6 (p = 0.00001), 7.4 +/- 1.7 (p < 0.03), 7.6 +/- 1.6 (p < 0.006), 6.5 +/- 1.0 (p < 0.05) and 7.5 +/- 1.3 (p = NS) cm/yr following 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 mo respectively of treatment. The mean SDS for height decreased from -3.21 at baseline to -0.85 at 60 mo (p = 0.0004); 7 of 8 pts treated for > 36 mo had a SDS more positive than -2.00; 3 reached the 50th percentile on the growth curve. In 2 patients the dosage was doubled to achieve the increase in GV; in one patient it took 5 yrs to reach a SDS more positive than -2.00. A significant increase in weight gain and mid-arm muscle circumference over baseline values were indicative of the anabolic effect of rhGH. The mean increase in bone age was similar to the increase in chronologic age; the delta bone age-delta height age was not significant indicating no loss of growth potential following rhGH. Although 3 patients required the initiation of dialysis following rhGH treatment, the mean calculated creatinine clearance did not decrease significantly. No significant adverse effects were noted. These data indicate that long-term rhGH treatment is effective in improving the GV of children with CRF and facilitating catch-up growth without loss of growth potential.