Abstract

BERGADA, Ignacio et al. Growth hormone treatment in younger than six years of age short children born small for gestational age. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2009, vol.107, n.5, pp.410-416. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. Approximately 10% of children born small for gestational age (SGA) do not show spontaneous catch-up growth. Objective. Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of 2 years growth hormone treatment in children younger than 6 years of age, born SGA. Material and methods. Fourteen patients, mean age 4.2 ± 1.1 years were treated with growth hormone at 1.0 UI/kg/wk for two years. Results. Growth velocity increased from a mean ± SD of 5.4 ± 1.7 cm/yr to 9.8 ± 1.50 cm/yr and 7.6 ± 1.5 cm/yr during the first year and second year, respectively (p 0.00058). Serum IGF-I and its binding protein BP3 increased significantly throughout treatment. Basal glucose and insulin levels increased significantly during treatment, p= 0.0006 and p= 0.036, respectively, without significant changes in postprandial glucose or insulin levels. A mild change in insulin sensitivity was observed along treatment. Conclusion. Two years growth hormone treatment induced a significant growth acceleration in children born small for gestational age, allowing them to attain a normal height. No serious adverse events were reported.

Keywords : Small for gestational age; Growth hormone; Insulin-like growth factor I; Insulin sensitivity.

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