Abstract

Recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) has been available for nearly a decade. Side effects are rare. Its efficacy in promoting growth acceleration has been widely confirmed in children with GH deficiency (GHD), Turner syndrome, idiopathic short stature, chronic renal failure, and a variety of other conditions. The dramatic increase in height velocity in the first year of therapy partially attenuates in subsequent years in all patient groups, and convincing final height data are only available in GHD and Turner syndrome. Pediatric endocrinologists continue to be troubled by definitions of GHD. Although profound GHD is relatively obvious, other patients with severe growth failure but borderline or normal endocrine testing also respond to hGH therapy. Thus many endocrinologists use auxologic criteria [e.g. low growth velocity, height < -3 standard deviation (SD), poor predicted adult height] as the de facto basis for therapy, leading to a blurred distinction between treatment of disease and enhancement of normal characteristics and, finally, raising questions about the ultimate benefit of hGH therapy. Brief clinical trials of hGH therapy in adults both with and without GHD have reported increased muscle mass, decreased fat, and improvement in quality of life. Internists may soon be faced with treatment decisions analogous to those confronting pediatricians, i.e. whether to use hGH to repair aspects of the normal aging process.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.