The influence of growth hormone treatment on bone metabolism in dialysis patients

Bone formation markers, PTH intact, and bone mineral density were evaluated in 12 children with end stage renal disease during recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment. Bone biopsies before rhGH therapy revealed: osteitis fibrosa in one patient, mild lesions in eight, adynamic bone disease in one, and a normal histology in two. PTH intact increased after six months of rhGH in seven children, and was significantly higher in them than in the control group. A positive correlation between PICP concentration after one month and growth velocity within 12 months of rhGH was found. Higher doses of vitamin D are needed in growing children treated with rhGH.