Recombinant human growth hormone post-renal transplantation in children: a randomized controlled study of the NAPRTCS.
BACKGROUND
Growth retardation persists in renal allograft recipients despite successful transplantation. The etiology is multi-factorial including the adverse effects of corticosteroids, suboptimal allograft function, and perturbations of the GH/GF axis. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been effective in improving growth velocity; however, allograft dysfunction has been reported. Therefore, a randomized controlled study was undertaken.


METHODS
Sixty-eight growth retarded pediatric renal allograft recipients were enrolled in a one-year randomized controlled study to determine the efficacy and safety of rhGH. A protocol biopsy was performed prior to enrollment.


RESULTS
After one year, the delta SDS (standardized height) was +0.49 +/- 0.10 in the treatment group (N = 30) compared to -0.10 +/- 0.08 in the control group (N = 22; P < 0.001). During the first year, there were no rejection episodes in the treatment group and three in the control group. After the first year, when all recipients were receiving rhGH, there were three patients in the treatment group and two patients in the control group who experienced an acute rejection episode. Prior to enrollment, more than one acute rejection episode was predictive of a subsequent rejection following enrollment. There was no difference in adverse events between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, rhGH is effective in improving the growth velocity of pediatric renal allograft recipients and is not associated with an increase in adverse events.
Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8111, USA. richard.fine@sunysb.edu
Richard N
RN
Fine
Donald
D
Stablein
Arthur H
AH
Cohen
Amir
A
Tejani
Edward
E
Kohaut
D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D017211:Treatment Failure
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone