Sudden death in Prader-Willi syndrome during growth hormone therapy.
We describe a child with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) aged 3 years and 11 months who suddenly died 7 months after the initiation of GH therapy. The child never showed respiratory problems, but suffered from severe obesity. This case raises the question about the association between sudden death in children with PWS (with or without respiratory problems) and GH therapy, as already suspected in the recent past. We suggest that further epidemiological studies are required in order to determine more accurately the frequency of this causal connection and better understand its pathogenesis.
Sacco
Michele
M
Division of Paediatrics, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. micheleacco2001@yahoo.it
Di Giorgio
Girolamo
G
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D013006:Growth Hormone