Once versus twice daily injections of growth hormone in children with idiopathic short stature

The aim of this study was to compare the growth response of 22 short pre-pubertal children without growth hormone deficiency, treated with a single daily growth hormone injection (group A), to the growth response of 27 similar children, treated with the same daily dose divided into 2 subcutaneous injections per day (group B), for 1 y, in a randomized study. GH treatment significantly promoted growth parameters, height standard deviation score and height velocity standard deviation score in both groups. Serum insulin-like growth factor I was also increased. There were no significant differences in growth response, serum IGF-I levels, or the advance in bone age between the two study groups after 1 y of GH therapy. We conclude that twice daily s.c. growth hormone injections provide no advantages over once daily injection of the same dose in promoting the linear growth of short children without growth hormone deficiency.     

The effect of nacom (L-dopa and L-carbidopa) on growth hormone secretion in 75 patients with short stature

The stimulatory effect of Nacom^® (250 mg L-Dopa and 25 mg L-Carbidopa) on the HGH secretion was evaluated in 75 short stature patients. The number of blood samples was restricted to only three (0, 45 and 90 min). 63 patients reached adequate HGH concentrations after the ingestion of 1 tablet Nacom (84%). Somatotropin levels increased from 2.08 (S _x 0.28) to a maximal HGH value of 14.22 (S _x 0.87) ng/ml.When the stimulatory effect of Nacom was compared with the standard method of arginine infusion in children with normal stature the arginine test was not superior to the Nacom-test.The Nacom-test appears to be a simple and reliable screening method for HGH deficiency, particularly in outpatients.     

基因重组生长激素治疗青春期前特发性矮小疗效观察

目的探讨基因重组人生长激素（rhGH）对青春期前特发性矮小（ISS）的疗效。方法观察27例青春期前特发性矮小患儿,平均年龄（8.9±2.0）岁,身高（118.0±10.6）cm。治疗组13例,男10例,女3例,均接受基因重组人生长激素治疗,剂量（0.12±0.01）IU/kg,睡前皮下注射,疗程6个月至1年;对照组14例,男6例,女8例。结果治疗组患儿生长速率（GV）由治疗前（4.28±0.86）cm/a提高到（9.38±1.77）cm/a,P〈0.01;年龄身高标准差积分（HtSDSCA）由-2.28±0.48增至-1.72±0.62（P〈0.01）;骨龄身高标准差积分（HtS-DSBA）由-0.24±1.02增至0.27±0.99（P〈0.05）;与对照组比较,GV、HtSDS（CA）和HtSDS（BA）差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0.05）;两组△BA/△CA比较差异无统计学意义（P均〉0.05）。结论GH治疗能改善ISS儿童的GV及HtSDS（CA）、HtSDS（BA）,而骨龄（BA）加速不明显,疗效肯定。     

人生长激素同型异构体比例变化与特发性矮小症的相关性

人生长激素(human growth hormone,hGH)是出生后促进生长的主要激素,生长激素在调节生长的许多方面都起作用,生长激素缺乏会引起生长激素缺乏性矮小(growth hormone deficiency,GHD),但特发性矮小症患儿(idiopathic short stature,ISS)并不存在生长激素(GH)缺乏[1],其发病机制一直是研究的热点,有研究认为hGH同型异构体(humangrowth hormone isoforms,hGHI)比例的变化可能是ISS的发病机制之一[2,3],hGH有多种同型异构体,在垂体、胎盘和外周血中均存在,各种hGHI单体型的22kDa!hGHI含量最丰富,20kDa!hGHI含量次之,它们在结构上有…     

Iron status of children with short stature during accelerated growth due to growth hormone treatment

We determined the influence of human growth hormone (hGH) treatment on blood soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in 35 children with short stature. Whereas the serum concentration of ferritin decreased from 29.6 μg/1 to 19.7 μg/l, and that of transferrin increased from 2.9g/1 to 3.2g/1 during 6 months ( p < 0.001), only a minimum rise in the sTfR concentration was observed (7.12 ± 0.20mg/1 vs 7.51 ± 0.19mg/l, p = 0.025). The prevalence of anaemia or microcytosis did not increase. Most of the changes in serum ferritin and transferrin concentrations occurred during the first week. The study demonstrates that rapid body growth per se does not affect the sTfR concentration, but it may affect the serum transferrin and ferritin concentrations. Alternatively, GH may have a specific effect on serum ferritin and transferrin concentrations.     

Effects of growth hormone therapy in prepubertal children with short stature secondary to intrauterine growth retardation

A total of 130 short children were included in a French multicentre study and randomized between a control group (group A) and two groups treated with daily subcutaneous injections of GH at doses of 0.7 IU/kg/week (group B) and 1.4 IU/kg/week (group C) for 2 years. Height velocity was significantly increased ( p <0.0005) in groups B and C, with a greater increase in group C than in group B ( p < 0.001). The benefit after 2 years compared with controls was 4.3 cm in group B and 5.9 cm in group C. The rate of bone maturation was not affected by GH therapy. These results led to the conclusion that 2 years of treatment with GH improves final height prognosis in children with short stature secondary to IUGR, and that this effect is dose dependent. The effect on final height has still to be demonstrated.     

Characteristics of children with idiopathic short stature in the Kabi Pharmacia International Growth Study, and their response to growth hormone treatment

The auxological characteristics and the response to growth hormone (GH) treatment of children with idiopathic short stature were studied, using the database of the Kabi Pharmacia International Growth Study. Pretreatment data from a total of 271 children were analysed. The children were selected for a birth weight above -2 SDS. The correlation coefficient of birth weight SDS and birth length SDS was 0.51, compared with 0.72 for the reference population. Median length at birth was -0.6 SDS, which fell to -2.5 SDS by 3 years of age. Thereafter, there was no further loss in height SDS. The response to GH treatment was studied in 222 of these prepubertal children who were given six or seven injectiodweek over a 3-year period. During this time, the median height SDS increased from -2.5 to -1.5, with those children receiving more than 0.65 IU/kg/week having a greater gain in height SDS than those on 0.5 IU/kg/week or less. The degree of bone age delay did not appear to influence the response to GH therapy.     

Correlation between pituitary growth hormone reserve and degree of growth failure in children with short stature

The correlation between a releasable pituitary growth hormone (GH) pool and degree of growth failure was examined in 30 children with GH deficiency (group I) and 19 children with normal short stature (group II). Based on the responsiveness of GH to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), group I, with low GH responses (below 7 ng/ml) to both insulin and arginine, was classified into three subgroups; I_a (peak value less than 10 ng/ml, n=19), I_b (10–20 ng/ml, n=5) and I_c (above 20 ng/ml, n=6). Group II, with a GH response above 10 ng/ml to either insulin or arginine, was also divided into II_a (below 20 ng/ml, n=5) and II_b (above 20 ng/ml, n=14). Body length and growth velocity in I_a and I_b were significantly reduced vs I_c; bone age in I_a was retarded vs I_c; plasma somatomedin C (Sm-C) levels in I_a and I_b were decreased vs I_c, who had almost normal levels (0.90±0.55 U/ml). The incidence of other combined pituitary hormone deficiencies and previous perinatal distress was definitely high in I_a and I_b, but zero in I_c. In group II also, body length and growth velocity were significantly decreased in II_a vs II_b (P<0.01). These results indicate that [1] the pituitary reserve of GH estimated by GHRH is a good reflection of the degree of growth failure in GH-deficient children as well as in those of normal short stature, [2] hypothalamic GHRH deficiency tends to have a milder effect on growth retardation than pituitary GH deficiency, and [3] normal short children with a diminished GH reserve may be potential candidates for the GH treatment.Abbreviations ACTH adrenocorticotropin - LH luteinizing hormone - LH-RH luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone - GH growth hormone - GHRH growth hormone-releasing hormone - Sm-C somatomedin C - TRH thyrotropin-releasing hormone - TSH thyrotropin     

重组人生长激素对不同生长激素分泌状态青春前期矮小患儿近期疗效分析

目的探讨部分性生长激素缺乏症（pGHD）患儿在重组人生长激素（rhGH）治疗后早期追赶性生长的规律。方法回顾性分析62例青春前期不同生长激素（GH）分泌状态矮小患儿用rhGH治疗后,近期（1．5年）追赶性生长指标（生长速度和身高Z分增值）和促生长素轴实验室指标的变化。其中,完全性生长激素缺乏症（cGHD）27例;非GH缺乏性矮小（NGHD）12例;pGHD23例,按GH激发峰值7ng／ml分为pGHD-1（12例）和pGHD-2（11例）两个亚组。结果cGHD和NGHD初始追赶性生长的幅度相似,但NGHD组持续时间较短。pGHD和cGHD以同一rhGH生理替代量治疗后,促生长的应答（生长速度和AIGFBP-3SDS）pGHD-1和cGHD差异无统计学意义,但pGHD-2却低于cGHD,而与NGHD差异无统计学意义。结论GH激发试验的诊断界值选用7ng／ml有更合理的依据,诊断pGHD时尤应审慎。pGHD-2组治疗早期的生长追赶不完全可能与rhGH剂量相对不足有关。     

Oral administration of arginine enhances the growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing hormone in short children

We have evaluated the effect of oral administration of arginine chlorhydrate on the growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing hormone in a group of nine short prepubertal children (six boys and four girls). Arginine chlorhydrate 10 g, administered orally 60 min before an iv bolus injection of growth hormone releasing hormone 1–29, 1 μg/kg, significantly enhanced the growth hormone response to the neuropeptidc, confirming the results of previous studies which used the iv route. Furthermore, our data strengthen the view that the effects of arginine chlorhydrate on growth hormone secretion are mediated by inhibition of endogenous somatostatin release.     

Oral administration of arginine enhances the growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing hormone in short children

We have evaluated the effect of oral administration of arginine chlorhydrate on the growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing hormone in a group of nine short prepubertal children (six boys and four girls). Arginine chlorhydrate 10 g, administered orally 60 min before an iv bolus injection of growth hormone releasing hormone 1–29, 1 μg/kg, significantly enhanced the growth hormone response to the neuropeptidc, confirming the results of previous studies which used the iv route. Furthermore, our data strengthen the view that the effects of arginine chlorhydrate on growth hormone secretion are mediated by inhibition of endogenous somatostatin release.     

特发性矮小患儿生长激素受体基因Ex3多态性与重组人生长激素疗效分析

目的：观察生长激素受体（GHR）基因Ex3多态性与重组人生长激素（rhGH）治疗青春期前特发性矮小（ISS）疗效间的相关性。方法：青春期前ISS患儿30例,均采用rhGH［0.116±0.02 IU/(kg/d)］治疗;其外周血白细胞中抽提基因组DNA,采用多重PCR扩增GHR基因Ex3区域。对不同基因型患儿治疗后生长速率（GV）、年龄对应身高标准差积分（HtSDSCA）及骨龄对应身高标准差积分（HtSDSBA）、预测终身高进行比较。结果：rhGH治疗半年后d3/d3基因型组GV较fl/fl基因型组明显增加［（6.3±1.6）cm/年 vs （3.4±0.5）cm/年,P<0.05］。结论：ISS患儿GHR Ex3基因型与rhGH促生长疗效存在一定关联,d3/d3等位基因型患儿用rhGH治疗后生长速率明显优于fl/fl等位基因型。［中国当代儿科杂志,2010,12（9）：730-733］     

Three-year data from a comparative study with recombinant human growth hormone in the treatment of short stature in young children with intrauterine growth retardation

Growth acceleration and bone maturation were studied for 3 y in 69 children with severe short stature and a history of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), to determine the effect of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH). The patients were enrolled in an open, multicentre trial and were randomly allocated to either the treated group (Group 1) or the control group (Group 2). The children in Group 1 were treated daily with 0.2 IU/kg/body weight (0.067 mg/kg) s.c, during 3 y and the children in Group 2 started the study with a 1-y observation period followed by a 3-y treatment period. At birth, their mean weight standard deviation score (SDS) was -2.5 and their mean length SDS -3.5. At baseline, the patients were prepubertal, non-GHdeficient, with no known dysmorphic features. Mean age was 4.5 y, bone age was 3.3 y, height SDS was -3.4, height velocity (HV) SDS was -1.6, and body mass index SDS was -1.4. After 1 y of treatment, linear HV in Group 1 increased in comparison with the pre-treatment period (from 5.7 ± 2.0 to 10.1 ± 1.7cm/y; p < 0:001)and with the firstyear of observation in Group2( p < 0:001). Increased HV was sustained during the second and third year of treatment and was significantly higher than at baseline. A similar growth pattern was seen during the 3y of GH treatment in Group 2. Mean height SDS for chronological age increased by 2.0 ± 0.7 in the two groups after 3 y of treatment. HV after 1 y of treatment was negatively correlated with growth velocity at baseline. Bone age remained retarded but increased with a mean of almost 4 y after 3y of treatment in both groups. Even at a dose that is three times the replacement dose treatment with r-hGH was well tolerated. From these results, we conclude that r-hGH treatment over 3 y can induce sustained catch-up growth in young children with severe short stature and a history of IUGR. Long-term studies are needed to assess ultimate effects on final height.     

Debate: Idiopathic short stature should be treated with growth hormone

In this paper we outline the case for and against the treatment of idiopathic short stature with growth hormone. Drs Ambler and Fairchild argue that many of those with ‘idiopathic’ short stature are not ‘short, normal children’ and will ultimately receive molecular diagnoses. They also argue that there is a subset of children who suffer negative psychosocial consequences of their stature for whom growth hormone therapy is effective. Growth hormone has a very good safety record and is likely to be as cost‐effective in idiopathic short‐stature as in some other conditions that are currently funded. Dr Wilkinson counters that short stature is not associated with physical or psychological illness, and that there is no evidence that growth hormone improves psychological or physical wellbeing. Moreover, growth hormone for idiopathic short stature represents a form of enhancement rather than treatment, and is not a fair use of resources. Socially mediated disadvantage should be treated by attention to prejudice and not by hormone treatment.     

Changes with growth hormone treatment in growth hormone deficient children

A total of 54 previously untreated patients (15 girls, 39 boys) with poor growth due to idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) were treated with human growth hormone (hGH), continuously up to 4 years. All of the patients had a peak hGH level which was below 10 ng/mL after at least two pharmacological tests and/or blunted physiologic hGH secretion, and their height was below ?2.5 s.d. for age and gender. After the 1st year of therapy, height velocity (HV) increased significantly when compared with baseline (from 3.18 ±0.76 cm/year to 9.17±1.03 cm/year; P <0.001), declined during the 2nd year and then remained significantly higher than pretreatment HV. When considering improvement in height expressed by height standard deviation score (SDS), during the therapy all of the patients showed a significant gain ± 1.72±1.09 (from ?4.11±0.61 to ?2.21±0.48). The height values were significantly higher than pretreatment, but remained below ?2 s.d. after 4 years of hGH therapy in our patients. Increased height velocity has been sustained, but height improvement after therapy was inversely correlated to height SDS for chronological age of patients at the start of therapy. In conclusion post-treatment height has been shown to be related to height deficit at the beginning of therapy. Therapy was well tolerated with no local or systemic adverse effects or acceleration of bone age.     

Optic nerve size evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in children with optic nerve hypoplasia, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, isolated growth hormone deficiency, and idiopathic short stature

OBJECTIVE: To objectively define criteria for intracranial optic nerve (ON) size in ON hypoplasia (ONH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. STUDY DESIGN: Intracranial ON sizes from MRI were compared between 46 children with ONH diagnosed by ophthalmoscopy (group 1, isolated ONH, 8 children; and group 2, ONH associated with abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and septum pellucidum, 38 children) and children with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (group 3, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, 14 children), isolated growth hormone deficiency (group 4, isolated growth hormone deficiency, 15 children), and idiopathic short stature (group 5, idiopathic short stature, 10 children). Intracranial ON size was determined by the cross-sectional area, calculated as [pi x (1/2) height x (1/2) width]. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 had lower intracranial ON size than did groups 3, 4, and 5 (P < .001). No patients in groups 3 through 5 who had MRI after 12 months of age (when 95% adult size of ONs is attained) had ONs <2.9 mm 2 . Visual acuity correlated significantly with ON size (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging of the ONs with cross-sectional area <2.9 mm 2 in a short child more than 12 months of age, with or without hypothalamic-pituitary axis abnormalities, confirms the clinical diagnosis of ONH.     

生长激素缺乏症患儿垂体MRI检查的临床应用价值

目的 研究特发性生长激素缺乏症(GHD)儿童垂体MRI检查的临床应用价值,为进一步探索GHD病理机制提供临床依据.方法 选取100例2005-2007年内分泌专科就诊的GHD儿童乖体MRI资料,其中男74例,女26例;平均年龄为(8.82±3.68)岁.于SE序列T1WI头颅正中矢状及冠状面上观测垂体大小形态及信号特征,并比较其与临床的联系.结果 在10～15岁GHD患儿头颅MRI检查垂体矢状高径明显优于其他各径线(P<0.01);在联合垂体功能缺陷(MPHD)中垂体后叶异位(EPP)的发生率(92.3%)显著高于CHD(7.7%,P<0.01).结论 对GHD儿童应重视头颅MRI检查,其垂体形态、结构的阳性发现可有助于临床疾病的诊断及鉴别诊断,必要时应随访MRI,结合临床综合判断诊治及其预后.