Growth and metabolic data following growth hormone treatment of children with intrauterine growth retardation.

Twenty-five short children (6F, 19M) with intrauterine growth retardation were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of biosynthetic human growth hormone for 4 years. The treatment was commenced at a chronological age of 6.3 years (range 2.1-9.8). Eighteen of the patients had major dysmorphic signs of Russell-Silver syndrome. During the first year they were randomised into two groups treated with either 15 or 30 IU of growth hormone/m2/week. The higher dose was administered to all the children after the first year of the trial. After the initial increase in growth velocity SDS (greater in those treated with the higher dose regimen), there was a progressive decrease although with values significantly higher than pretreatment levels (p < 0.02) in both groups. However there was no improvement in height SDS for bone age after 4 years. The triceps and skinfold thickness showed a decrease during the first years followed by a gradual increase. The body mass index improved during the 4 years although showing no difference between the two treatment groups. There was no alteration in thyroid function or metabolic indices (glucose or lipid homeostasis) during the study.