Growth hormone treatment in short children with intrauterine growth retardation

Effect of Growth Hormone Therapy on Pubertal Timing: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy effectively increases height in various disorders of childhood growth. However, whether rhGH affects pubertal timing is unclear. We aimed to review systematically published evidence on the effect of rhGH on pubertal timing.

METHODS

Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until December 2021 on randomized and non-randomized controlled studies of rhGH in children.

RESULTS

Twenty-five articles (n = 1,433 children) were identified, describing 12 randomized and 13 non-randomized controlled studies in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS; 15 studies), small for gestational age (n = 6 studies), chronic renal failure (n = 3), Noonan syndrome (n = 1), and growth hormone deficiency (n = 1). Significant differences in the effects of rhGH on pubertal timing were found by clinical indication. Only among children with ISS, rhGH promoted earlier age at pubertal timing (mean difference = -0.46 years; 95% CI, -0.90 to -0.03; 9 studies; n total = 397) or higher relative risk for pubertal onset during study follow-up (1.26; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.54; 6 studies; n total = 284).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with rhGH appears to promote earlier pubertal timing among children with ISS. Evidence was lacking in children with growth hormone deficiency due to the absence of studies with untreated controls.

Systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of Genotropin (somatropin) in children with short stature

Genotropin (somatropin) is licensed for the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency, Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency and in children born small for gestational age. This systematic review (SR) evaluated the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of Genotropin in these conditions to inform a NICE Technology Appraisal of growth hormone for the treatment of growth failure in children. Search terms were used to search seven databases, including Medline and Embase, for English language studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies investigating Genotropin in children were included. Out of 30 RCTs identified, one reported final height data. Eleven observational studies reported final height and seven were based on the Pfizer International Growth Survey (KIGS). This SR highlights the lack of long-term RCTs reporting final height data and other important qualitative outcomes, such as quality of life. Observational data, such as those from KIGS, remain vital for informing therapy.

Recombinant human growth hormone for children born small for gestational age: meta-analysis confirms the consistent dose-effect relationship on catch-up growth

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment regimen of recombinant human GH (r-hGH) for short children born small for gestational age (SGA) is still under discussion.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed of existing clinical trials that investigated the treatment of r-hGH in short children diagnosed SGA or with intrauterine growth retardation to determine the relationship between the daily r-hGH dose (placebo/no treatment; 0.033 mg/kg/day; 0.067 mg/kg/day) and the effect on growth [change in height-SD score (SDS) for chronological age]. A mathematical model describing the dose-response relationship was produced, and growth response (gain in height-SDS) to 2 yr of r-hGH 0.033 mg/kg/day [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection; Serono] was estimated and compared with the response to other r-hGH formulations.

RESULTS

The relationship between r-hGH dose and 2-yr growth response was described by an equation. The equation yielded a mean difference in height- SDS gain of 0.48 (0.35) between r-hGH 0.033 and 0.067 mg/kg/day in favor of the higher dose. The height-SDS gain after 2 yr of Serono r-hGH formulation, 0.033 mg/kg/day was estimated as 1.2. Comparison of this estimate to the growth response to 2-yr treatment at 0.033 mg/kg/day of other r-hGH formulations (mean difference in height-SDS 0.05, lower limit of the 95% confidence interval=-0.15) confirmed that growth response to Serono r-hGH formulation 0.033 mg/kg/day is an inferred response estimated to be within the range of observed responses to a (non-Serono formulation) r-hGH dose of 0.033 mg/kg/day.

CONCLUSION

There is a clear dose-response relationship for r-hGH in the treatment of short children born SGA and the analysis confirmed that treatment with Serono r-hGH formulation 0.033 mg/kg/day should provide a meaningful therapeutic response.

Follow-up height after discontinuation of growth hormone treatment in children with intrauterine growth retardation

Growth hormone (GH) treatment has been used in children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) to promote growth with success in several short- and long-term clinical trials. Intermittent GH therapy has also been advocated in children with IUGR. This study was designed to evaluate the growth of children with IUGR after discontinuation of a two-year trial of GH treatment. Sixteen children (12 F, 4 M) who had received GH (Genotropin) at age 5.3 (1.3) years at a dose of 0.2 IU/kg/day for 2 years (Group 1) and 10 (6 F, 4 M) controls of age 4.3 (1.7) years without treatment (Group 2) were followed after completion of the trial over a median period of 4 years. Height SDS of the GH-treated group showed an increase from -3.0 (0.5) to -1.9 (0.7) (p <0.001) over 2 years of therapy. Off therapy, height SDS decreased to -3.5 (0.5) at a mean age of 11.2 (1.6) years. The difference between the initial and recent height SDS in this group was significantly different (p = 0.02). Height SDS of the control group, -2.7 (1.4) initially, did not change over the two-year observation period. At follow-up, seven control children received GH in a similar fashion for one year. In spite of an insignificant increase in height SDS on one year of GH, it decreased to -2.9 (1.6) at age 11.0 (2.1) years at the latest visit. There was no significant difference between the recent heights of the two groups at final examination. One girl in Group 1 developed acanthosis nigricans and type 2 diabetes mellitus at age 13.3 years, after the follow-up period. A second patient developed osteosarcoma in the left tibia at age 9.9 years, for which she received chemotherapy and surgery. In conclusion, height SDS showed a significant increase on GH therapy for 2 years in children with IUGR; however, it decelerated after discontinuation of therapy. At the final visit, GH therapy did not seem to have had any effect on height prognosis. This finding shows that GH should be given continuously to improve final height in children with IUGR.