Abstract
Growth retardation is a common problem in children with CRF more pronounced the earlier the renal failure occurs. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhGH treatment in pre-pubertal childrem with CRF and short stature. 10 patients(5 girls aged 5.9-11.5, mean 8.1 and 5 boys aged 3.8-12.2, mean 8.0)were enrolled in the study according to the following criteria: CRF diagnosed at least 12 months prior to entry into the study;glomerular filtration rate (GRF) 50 ml/min/1.73m2 body surface area (Schwartz's formula) and normal thyroid function. rhGH (Genotropon (R), 1 IU/kg/week was given in daily sc injections for 12 months. Clinical and biochemical assessment was carried out every 3 months. Mean height velocity (HV)increased from 4.5 to 8.6cm/year (p<0.01); mean HV -SDS increased from -1.58 to 2.92 (p<0.01); mean height SDS improved from -3.3 to -2.8(p<0.01). Mean weight gain was 3.2kg and mean bone age advanced 1 year. Two girls started puberty after 6 months of therapy. GRF increased significantly (p<0.05) at 6 months and returned to pre-treatment values at 1 year of therapy. Serum phosphate and insulin increased (p<0.01)at 12 months. Other biochemical paremeters (calcium, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, T3, T4, TSH, hematocrit, cholesterol, tryglycerides, Na, K, BUN, glucose and frutosamine)did not change. No side effects were observed. These results confirm previous reports on the effectiveness of rhGH in increasing height velocity of short slowly growing patients with CRF.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Boguszewski, M., Sandrini, R., Cat, I. et al. 26 EVALUATION OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (rhGH) IN PRE-PUBERTAL SHORT CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC RENAL AILURE (CRF). Pediatr Res 36, 682 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199411000-00084
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199411000-00084