Body composition changes in children receiving human growth hormone

Abstract

Skinfold thickness was found to decrease during the first 6–10 wk and then remain constant when human growth hormone therapy was begun in 34 growth hormone-deficient children. Linear growth increased at a constant rate during the first 6 mo. Two children, who routinely received their injection in the same arm at the same site, developed a localized area of markedly diminished subcutaneous fat at the injection site, Height, weight, total-body potassium, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured at 2-mo intervals in nine children receiving human growth hormone. Total-body potassium was measured with the 54-Nal detector whole-body counter of the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The study extended over a period of 20 consecutive mo. Triceps skinfold thickness rapidly decreased during the initiation of therapy with growth hormone, and returned to pretreatment values during a 5-mo control period when therapy was temporarily discontinued. Rate of weight gain was most rapid during this 5-mo control period and was reduced during two periods when growth hormone was being administered. Total body potassium and height increased very little during the control period when weight gain was greatest, and both increased rapidly during the two periods of growth hormone treatment. The data show clearly the initial changes in body fat and lean tissue that occur when human growth hormone is administered to children with growth deficiency.