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Growth hormone deficiency in two children with cerebral palsy
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center, Charlottesville 22903, USA.
Insights
Growth hormone deficiency can cause linear growth failure in children with cerebral palsy. Growth hormone therapy may improve linear growth and offer psychosocial benefits without worsening orthopedic status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neurology
- Growth Disorders
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Linear growth failure is a recognized complication in children with CP.
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a potential, though not fully elucidated, cause of growth failure in this population.
Observation:
- The study presents two pediatric cases of cerebral palsy with concurrent linear growth failure.
- One child diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency received growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT).
Findings:
- The child treated with GHRT experienced a significant increase in linear growth velocity, from 3 cm/year to 8.3 cm/year over two years.
- No adverse orthopedic complications were observed during therapy.
- Positive psychosocial benefits were noted in the treated child.
Implications:
- Growth hormone deficiency should be considered in the diagnostic workup of linear growth failure in children with cerebral palsy.
- Growth hormone therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for select children with CP and GHD.
- Further research is warranted to explore the prevalence and management of GHD in the CP population.
Abstract:
The authors describe two children with cerebral palsy and linear growth failure secondary to growth hormone deficiency. One of the children was successfully treated with growth hormone replacement therapy. His linear growth velocity increased from 3cm/year before therapy to 8.3 cm/year during the first two years of therapy. Potential complications such as worsening orthopedic status did not occur. Psychosocial benefits were noted. The authors conclude that growth hormone deficiency may play a role in linear growth failure in some children with cerebral palsy and that some of these children may benefit from growth hormone therapy.