Improvement of uremic growth failure by recombinant human growth hormone.
Nine stunted prepubertal children with end-stage renal failure were treated by rhGH in supraphysiological doses (4 U/m2/day s.c.) for a period of six to nine months. The six-month data from these children indicated that exogenous rhGH significantly improved the growth rate in all children (mean height velocity SDS before therapy, -2.8; during the treatment period, +2.5). This effect was accompanied by a significant increase in serum somatomedin bioactivity. Low normal basal serum IGF I concentrations were increased by rhGH. Elevated basal serum IGF II concentrations were further increased by rhGH treatment. The pharmacokinetic profile of rhGH in uremia resembles that of the non-uremic state; no accumulation was seen after 14 days of treatment. Glucose tolerance did not change, and insulin levels remained stable throughout the six-month observation period. No rhGH antibodies were detected. Although these short-term results are very encouraging, the effects of rhGH on the prognosis for final height need to be assessed over a longer period of time.
Tönshoff
B
B
Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University Children's Hospital, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Mehls
O
O
Schauer
A
A
Heinrich
U
U
Blum
W
W
Ranke
M
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014511:Uremia / Q000150:complications*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D013006:Growth Hormone