Growth increments with low dose intermittent growth hormone and fluoxymesterone in first year of therapy in hypopituitarism.
The availability of a commercial preparation of human growth hormone (hGH) prompted a study in children with hypopituitarism to determine the efficacy of a lower dose of hGH. Thirteen children, ages 4 years 3 months to 13 years 7 months, were given hGH concomitant with fluoxymesterone in an intermittent regimen. The hGH was given intramuscularly, 1 IU daily for 12 to 36 days in each course. There were four courses per year. The fluoxymesterone was given orally, 1 to 2 mg. The total amount of hGH administered was between 48 and 112 IU per year, as compared with the regimen of 312 IU per year, 2 units three times a week. The growth velocity in all 13 children improved, and the mean growth velocity was 6.4 cm +/- 1.13 SD. The mean bone age increment was 0.57 years +/- 0.14 SEM in one chronological year of therapy. The low dose regimen permits a significant reduction in cost of hGH without causing undue advance in bone age.
D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005474:Fluoxymesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male
D013006:Growth Hormone; D005474:Fluoxymesterone