Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease after administration of human growth hormone.
A 2-year-old girl had a craniopharyngioma removed in 1964. She received human growth hormone (HGH) twice a week from July, 1972, until July, 1976. In March, 1984, a subacute dementing illness developed with neurological signs that included pronounced cerebellar ataxia. A clinical diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) was made. The patient died in February, 1985. Necropsy revealed a spongiform encephalopathy compatible with the transmissible form of CJD. HGH administration may be implicated in the transmission of the disease in this case.
Powell-Jackson
J
J
Weller
R O
RO
Kennedy
P
P
Preece
M A
MA
Whitcombe
E M
EM
Newsom-Davis
J
J
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000188:drug therapy; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
D013006:Growth Hormone