[Growth hormone therapy in prepubertal children with chronic renal insufficiency].

BACKGROUND

Growth retardation is a serious problem in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) despite normal endogenous growth hormone (GH) secretion. Intensive medical care and dialysis do not improve height velocity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of GH therapy in children with growth retardation secondary to CRF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Biosynthetic growth hormone was given to 7 prepubertal children (five boys and 2 girls, age with a range 3.5-14.5 years) with severe growth retardation and CRF during 1 year. The dosage of GH was 1 IU/kg/per week. GH was given daily, sc. The patients had a full examination every 3 months. Six children completed the study. Height velocity improved with GH therapy in 5 children. Renal function deterioration was accelerated in 2 children. The serum alkaline phosphatase concentration increased and the serum calcium concentration decreased during GH treatment in all children. Glucose, thyroid gland hormone concentration and lipid concentrations remained constant.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed clearly that treatment with biosynthetic GH gave an impressive improvement of height velocity in growth retarded prepubertal children with CRF.