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Growth hormone treatment of short children born small for gestational age

P Czernichow1

  • 1Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Hospital Robert Debre, Paris, France.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). Supplement
|December 24, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Short children born small for gestational age experienced increased growth velocity with growth hormone (GH) treatment. This well-tolerated therapy significantly improved height over three years, with further studies planned.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth and Development
  • Hormone Therapy

Background:

  • Short stature in children born small for gestational age (SGA) can impact long-term health and psychosocial well-being.
  • Growth hormone (GH) is a key regulator of linear growth.
  • Optimizing growth in SGA children is a clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term growth hormone (GH) administration in children born SGA.
  • To assess the impact of supra-physiological GH doses on growth velocity and height gain.
  • To determine the tolerability of GH treatment in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Administration of supraphysiological doses (2-3 times replacement) of growth hormone (GH).
  • Treatment duration of three years.
  • Monitoring of growth velocity and height standard deviation scores (SDS).
  • Assessment of treatment tolerability and side-effects.

Main Results:

  • Children receiving GH treatment showed a significant increase in growth velocity.
  • A mean height gain of nearly 2.0 SDS was observed over the 3-year treatment period.
  • The GH treatment was well tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported.

Conclusions:

  • Short-term administration of supra-physiological doses of growth hormone (GH) effectively increases height in children born small for gestational age.
  • GH treatment is safe and well-tolerated in this population.
  • Further research is needed to assess height maintenance and final height outcomes after cessation of GH therapy.

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