Abstract
Zinc has multiple effects on somatic development: It acts as a cofactor in IGF-I action, it is part of several enzymatic systems, releases growth hormone (GH) and influences DNA and RNA metabolism. We studied 15 prepubertal boys with short stature (height <-2SD) and peak GH levels after ITT or clonidine stimulation test > 7 ng/ml. After a pretreatment period of at least 6 months, zinc sulfate × 7H2O 70 mg, t.i.d. was given during 12.9 months.
All patients remained prepubertal, had an increase in appetite and suffered no side effects. We observed a slight increase in growth velocity and a significant improvement in height SD. Individually, height SD improved in 80% and remained unchanged in 20% of patients. We conclude that chronic zinc administration can improve height in boys with short stature.
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Cristovao, F., Golabek, J., Longui, C. et al. 33 EFFECT OF CHRONIC ZINC ADMINISTRATION ON THE GROWTH OF PREPUBERTAL BOYS WITH SHORT STATURE. Pediatr Res 36, 683 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199411000-00091
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199411000-00091