Growth hormone is effective in the treatment of severe growth retardation in children with juvenile chronic arthritis. Double blind placebo-controlled followup study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) treatment in severe growth retardation in prepubertal children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA).


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, we treated 25 prepubertal children (7 boys, 18 girls, mean age 9.0 yrs) with severe growth retardation due to JCA with human recombinant GH (6 months) and placebo (6 months).


RESULTS
A significant response to GH treatment, compared with placebo, was seen in most children. The median height velocity standard deviation score was +2.09 (range -7.18 to +9.49) during the 6 month period of GH therapy and -1.11 (range -10.00 to +1.11) during placebo treatment (p = 0.0002). The median height standard deviation score increased from -2.08 to -1.79 during GH treatment and from -2.18 to -2.02 during placebo (p = 0.0268). All children except one completed the study, showing high compliance. The treatment was well tolerated, and no significant alterations in the disease activity were recorded during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that human recombinant GH may be of benefit in the treatment of severe growth retardation in children with JCA. The response was seen after only 6 months and was independent of initial growth hormone status of the child.
Saha
Marja-Terttu
MT
Tampere University Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, PO Box 2000, FIN 33521 Tampere, Finland.
Haapasaari
Jarkko
J
Hannula
Sirpa
S
Sarna
Seppo
S
Lenko
Hanna Liisa
HL
D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006728:Hormones; D013006:Growth Hormone