Published in:
01-06-2012 | Original Article
Effectiveness of rhGH treatment on final height of renal-transplant recipients in childhood
Published in: Pediatric Nephrology | Issue 6/2012
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Background
Growth retardation is a considerable clinical problem in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Optimization of metabolic and nutritional parameters does not always lead to improved growth. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment has been used to improve height. Several studies in the literature have shown increased growth velocity, although data on the final height (FH) reached are scarce.
Aims
We assessed the effect of rhGH on FH standard deviation score (SDS) in children with CKD following renal transplantation (RTx), comparing it with patients who did not receive rhGH (control group) but were treated with the same protocol and followed up in a single Center.
Methods
Thirty-three patients received rhGH treatment until FH. Fourteen who refused rhGH therapy were included in the controls. Prognostic factors for FH and changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during follow-up were also analyzed
Results
FH SDS in rhGH-treated patients was significantly higher than in controls (−1.88 ± 1.14 vs −3.48 ± 1.19 SDS, respectively, p <0.05). In both groups, a similar reduction in GFR was observed. Height (SDS) at onset of rhGH treatment was the only statistically significant variable useful to predict response to treatment (p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Our findings confirm that rhGH is effective to improve FH in CKD RTx patients, without affecting kidney function.