Non-conventional use of growth hormone therapy.
Human growth hormone therapy is allowed in certain clinical conditions according to national healthcare criteria. Growth hormone, however, produces a wide spectrum of effects. Linear growth is only one of the many expected results, and there are interesting possibilities to explore which could provide additional means of improving the quality of life for the ever-increasing numbers of chronic paediatric patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In this review, we discuss the rationale for and possibility of using growth hormone therapy in some conditions not strictly related to growth hormone deficiency.
Cappa
Marco
M
Department of Paediatric Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy. cappa@opbg.net
Ubertini
Graziamaria
G
Colabianchi
Diego
D
Fiori
Rossana
R
Cambiaso
Paola
P
D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D013006:Growth Hormone