Abstract
We report the growth velocities of all growth hormone-deficient, pre-pubertal patients treated since onset of therapy with a daily dose of recombinant hGH in our clinic. As illustrated in the table below, our patients attained adequate growth velocities while treated with approximately 60% of the dose most widely used. The study population consisted of 20 pre-pubertal patients, 9 of whom had “organic” and 11 of whom had idiopaihic etiologies of their growth hormone deficiency. Average age at onset of treatment was 6.6 years. Average bone age maturation during treatment was 1.2 years for each year of chronological age. The growth velocities in the second and third year of treatment did not decline from those of the first year. Of note, Ranke and Guilbaud (Acta Paedtr. Scand [Suppl] 379: 109-115, 1991) have found that high first year doses of hGH have a negative influence on second year growth. Since both cost and metabolic side effects increase with the magnitude of the hGH dose, current recommended dosages may need to be reviewed.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kohane, I., Faizan, K., Adjanee, N. et al. CAN COST EFFECTIVENESS OF GROWTH HORMONE BE IMPROVED?. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S51 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00286
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00286
