Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment
07:45

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment

Published on: November 6, 2018

The use of growth hormone in the treatment of extensive burns: a case report

J Koller1, Z Marinov, K Kvalteni

  • 1Ruzinov General Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Acta Chirurgiae Plasticae
|October 23, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant human growth hormone aided healing in a severe pediatric burn case. This anabolic hormone promoted recovery, with manageable side effects like mild insulinoresistance.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Pediatric Burn Care

Background:

  • Growth hormone (GH) is a key anabolic hormone influencing cell growth and metabolism.
  • Previous studies suggest GH benefits pediatric burn treatment.
  • Severe burns present significant challenges in patient recovery and healing.

Observation:

  • A 12-year-old boy experienced an extensive electrical arc burn (81% Total Body Surface Area, 60% full thickness).
  • Treatment included recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) at 0.52 IU/kg/day for 15 days, starting on post-burn day 19.
  • The patient underwent intensive care, surgical procedures (excision and grafting), and supportive therapies.

Findings:

  • rhGH administration was well-tolerated, with only mild insulinoresistance observed.
  • Insulinoresistance was effectively managed by adjusting insulin dosage in glucose solutions.
  • The majority of the patient's burns healed within 56 days of intensive care.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential of rhGH as an adjunctive therapy for severe pediatric burns.
  • GH treatment may improve healing outcomes and reduce recovery time in critically burned children.
  • Further research is warranted to establish optimal rhGH dosing and long-term effects in pediatric burn patients.

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft12:18

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft

Published on: August 8, 2020

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds02:49

A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds

Published on: February 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells01:19

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...