Long-acting growth hormone for treating growth hormone deficiency in children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials focusing on changes in body mass index
Authors' conclusion
An increase in body mass index SD score is associated with the first year of LAGH use.
Study context
- Population
- Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in RCTs lasting over 6 months with extension phases providing longitudinal body mass index (BMI) data
- Participants
- 585 children3 RCTs
- Comparison
- Long-acting GH vs daily GH
- Long-acting growth hormone (LAGH)n = 346
- Daily rhGHn = 239reference
- Outcome
- BMI SD score
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailssensitivity analysis omitting one study at a time, Omitting one study at a time did not materially affect the results
- Sensitivity analysis omitting one study at a time
- Omitting one study at a time did not materially affect the results
Pooled result
BMI SDS
MD
0.66 SDS
95% CI 0.04–1.29
Between LAGH and Daily rhGH
MD 0.66 SDS (95% CI 0.04–1.29)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
Change in BMI SDS within group · 0 to 12 months
- LAGH: significant increase, MD (95% CI 0.04-0.77)
- + 0.41 SDS
- Daily GH: no change, MD
- −0.35 SDS (95% CI −0.76 to +0.07)
Change in BMI SDS in extension phases · 12 to 24 months
- Daily GH/LAGH switching: significant increase, MD (95% CI 0.24-1.27)
- + 0.75 SDS
- LAGH/LAGH: remained steady
Original publication
Long-acting growth hormone for treating growth hormone deficiency in children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials focusing on changes in body mass index. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 5 March 2026. doi:10.
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