Metabolic implications of GH treatment in small for gestational age.
Fetal growth retardation is associated with decreased postnatal growth, resulting in a lower adult height. In addition, a low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of developing diseases during adulthood, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Children with persistent postnatal growth retardation, i.e., incomplete catch-up growth, can be treated with human GH. The GH/IGF-I axis is involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The question of whether treatment with GH in children born small for gestational age (SGA) has long-term implications with respect to glucose/insulin and lipid metabolism has not been answered yet. In this article, the available data are reviewed.
Delemarre
E M
EM
Medical School Leiden University Medical Center, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Rotteveel
J
J
Delemarre-van de Waal
H A
HA
D001827:Body Height; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism