title: Issues and trends in pediatric growth hormone therapy--an update from the GHMonitor observational registry.
abstract: The GHMonitor observational registry collates data on pediatric subjects receiving Saizen (recombinant human growth hormone (GH)) therapy. From January 2003 through August 2006, 1335 subjects were enrolled in the registry, approximately two-thirds of whom are male. The most common diagnosis in the registry is idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (58%). Most subjects in GHMonitor are receiving Saizen doses using a needle-free delivery device, the cool.click (73%). Mean height standard deviation scores show an improvement from -2.1 at screening to -1.1 following 3 years of Saizen therapy. To date, adverse events have been reported in 4% of subjects. Three serious adverse events were identified to be related to Saizen by the primary investigator: cellulitis at the injection site, behavioral problems/suicidal ideation, and enlargement of a craniopharyngioma. This article provides an update on data from the registry and briefly discusses topical and controversial issues in the treatment of pediatric patients requiring GH therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, The Keck School of Medicine at USC and Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles, California 90026, USA. dpisit@chla.usc.edu
authors.forename: Pisit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pitukcheewanont
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Desrosiers
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steelman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rapaport
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fuqua
authors.forename: Nerissa C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Kreher
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamlett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009485:Neuroradiography; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000639:trends*; D011627:Puberty; D012042:Registries
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I