Response to Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Therapy in Short Children Born at Very Low Birth Weight
Authors' conclusion
The response to rhGH treatment was suboptimal in the VLBW group, independent of the size, GA, or etiological diagnosis. However, adult height may be improved in patients receiving rhGH treatment. This underscores the need for tailored protocols and further investigations to optimize outcomes in this population.
Study context
- Population
- Short children born at very low birth weight (VLBW) treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH)23 with adult height data
- Participants
- 33 children
- Outcome
- Response to rhGH therapy: growth velocity and height SDS change
- Follow-up
- 1 year
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
First-year growth velocity (cm/year), mean ± SD, aligned with prediction models for small for gestational age (SGA) children
7.5 ± 2.1
Height SDS change from baseline to 1 year
−3.0 ± 1.1 to −2.6 ± 1.3
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Adult height after long-term rhGH therapy (6.7 ± 3.3 years)
- Remained short among patients reaching adult height
- 73.9%
- Adult height SDS
- −2.5 ± 1.3
- 23 patients with adult height data
Predictors of height gain
- Initial height SDS, first-year height SDS change and target height SDS were key independent predictors of height gain
Original publication
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