[Biosynthetic growth hormone extracted from mammalian cells used in the management of growth hormone deficient children].

Biosynthetic growth hormone extracted from mammalian cells was used in eight children with growth hormone deficiency, in search for a clinical safety study. Each child received 0.6 U/kg/week, subcutaneously, during a period of six months, and was evaluated monthly for clinical, anthropometric and laboratory modifications induced by the drug in a physiological or pathological way. The growth velocity increased from less that 4 cm/year to 11.2 +/- 1.08 cm/year, the bone age maintained according to the chronological age, and the anthropometric evaluation showed an harmonious and physiological growth. There was not any undesirable nor secondary changes except transient hypothyroidism in two patients, and unmasked hypophyseal hypothyroidism in another two. We concluded that biosynthetic growth hormone extracted from mammalian cells is a safety drug, and that patients with growth hormone deficiency may be treated with it in order to improve their final height expectancy.