A randomized, placebo-controlled GH trial in very preterm infants who were at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and were treated with dexamethasone.
Very preterm infants who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia are often treated with dexamethasone (DEXA) to wean them from the ventilator. As DEXA has growth-suppressive and catabolic effects, which might have long-term consequences on growth and organ development, we investigated whether high-dose GH treatment could overcome these effects. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 ventilated very low birth weight infants were assigned to receive either GH or placebo treatment after start of DEXA. DEXA was given for 24 d (starting dose 0.5 mg . kg(-1) . d(-1), tapering off every third day). Simultaneously, high-dose GH (0.3 mg . kg(-1) . d(-1)) or placebo was administered during 6 wk. During high-dose DEXA treatment (dose 0.5-0.3 mg . kg(-1) . d(-1)), no gain in head circumference, weight, crown-heel length, and knee-heel length occurred in the GH and placebo groups. Growth during the 6-wk study period was not different between the GH and the placebo groups. Two patients in the placebo group died, but the number and the severity of adverse effects was not statistically different between the GH and placebo groups. In conclusion, high-dose GH treatment did not improve growth in DEXA-treated very preterm infants and thus cannot be recommended to prevent growth failure in these infants. During high-dose DEXA, a complete growth arrest occurred, including stunting of head growth. Growth in head circumference and weight with lower dose DEXA was comparable to growth after discontinuation of DEXA.
Huysman
Marianne W A
MW
Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam/Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands. m.huysman@sfg.nl
Hop
Wim C J
WC
Cromme-Dijkhuis
Adri H
AH
Sauer
Pieter J J
PJ
Hokken-Koelega
Anita C S
AC
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006728:Hormones; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D010919:Placebos; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013006:Growth Hormone