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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270387

Title: Growth hormone: health considerations beyond height gain

Author
item ROSS, JUDITH - Thomas Jefferson University
item CZERNICHOW, PAUL - University Of Paris
item BILLER, BEVERLY - Massachusetts General Hospital
item COLAO, ANNAMARIA - University Of Naples
item REITER, ED - Baystate Medical Center
item KIESS, WIELAND - University Of Leipzig
item Haymond, Morey - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Pediatrics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2009
Publication Date: 4/1/2010
Citation: Ross, J., Czernichow, P., Biller, B.M., Colao, A., Reiter, E., Kiess, W., and the participants in the advisory panel meeting on the effects of growth hormone. 2010. Growth hormone: health considerations beyond height gain. Pediatrics. 125:e906-e919.

Interpretive Summary: The benefit of growth hormone (GH) therapy in improving the height of short children is widely recognized; however, GH therapy is associated with other actions that may be of benefit in these children. GH increases relative lean body mass by decreasing fat mass and lipid profile. Increased bone mineral density is also evident in many pediatric populations. Some of these benefits may require continued therapy past the acquisition of adult height. With long-term therapy of any kind, the adverse consequences of treatment should also be considered. Fortunately, long-term GH treatment seems to be safe and well-tolerated.

Technical Abstract: The therapeutic benefit of growth hormone (GH) therapy in improving height in short children is widely recognized; however, GH therapy is associated with other metabolic actions that may be of benefit in these children. Beneficial effects of GH on body composition have been documented in several different patient populations as well as improvements in lipid profile. Marked augmentation of bone mineral density also seems evident in many pediatric populations. Some of these benefits may require continued therapy past the acquisition of adult height. With long-term therapy of any kind, the adverse consequences of treatment should also be considered. Fortunately, long-term GH treatment seems to be safe and well-tolerated. This review describes the long-term metabolic effects of GH treatment in the pediatric population and considers how these may benefit children who are treated with GH.