Abstract
Impaired growth is a major problem in children with renal transplantation (Tx). Poor allograft function and corticoesteroids administration have bean mentioned as probable causes of decreased statural growth. The aim of the present study was: 1) to determine the effect on height velocity (HV) of a reduced methyl-prechisone (MP) dose and 2) to evaluate growth hormone (hGH) dynamics by studying the spontaneous 24 hours secretion. We studied 7 Tx patients (chronological age 8.6 to 15.2 years), with serum creatinine from 0.5 to 0.8 mg/dl, receiving MP at a disease of 0.23 ± 0.02 mg/kg/day (x ± sd) with a previous HV of 2.58 ± 1.14 cm/yr. After one year with a lower MP dose (0,17 ± 0,01 mg/kg/day), HV was 3.42 ± 1.94 cm/yr. (n=7) and 2.39 ± 1.03 cm/yr. in 4 patients who remained prepubertal during that year. In these 4 patients mean hGH concentration was 2.59 ± 0.98 ng/ml, no different from a normal control group: 2.78 ± 0.76 ng/ml (n=3). Not hGH peaks ≥ 5 ng/ml were detected in 2 of these patients, while normal controls showed 1 to 4 peaks. In conclusion a lower MP dose did not improve HV in prepubertal patients with Tx and decreased growth could be related, in some children, to an impaired hGH secretion.
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Domené, H., Jasper, H. & Ferraris, J. 24. GROWTH AND GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION IN CHILDREN WITH RENAL TRASNPLANTATION. Pediatr Res 23, 651 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198806000-00047
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198806000-00047