Insulin sensitivity modulates the growth response during the first year of high-dose growth hormone treatment in short prepubertal children born small for gestational age

in Hormone Research in Paediatrics (2012), 78(1), 24-30

AIM: To study the relationship between insulin sensitivity and growth response in short children born small for gestational age (SGA) treated with growth hormone (GH). METHODS: Randomized, open-label, 24 ... [more ▼]

AIM: To study the relationship between insulin sensitivity and growth response in short children born small for gestational age (SGA) treated with growth hormone (GH). METHODS: Randomized, open-label, 24-month intervention study in 40 short prepubertal SGA children [age (mean ± SD) 5.3 ± 1.5 years], who either remained untreated (n = 20) or were treated with GH (66 µg/kg/day; n = 20). Changes in fasting glucose, insulin, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), IGF-1 and leptin after 1 and 2 years were studied. RESULTS: Mean height SDS increased from -3.3 ± 0.7 to -2.3 ± 0.7 after 1 year, and to -1.9 ± 0.7 after 2 years of treatment. QUICKI decreased significantly (p = 0.008) in the first year of GH treatment and stabilized in the second year. Baseline QUICKI was positively associated (r = 0.40; p < 0.05) with the change in height SDS in the first year. CONCLUSION: Higher insulin sensitivity at the start of GH therapy is associated with greater first-year growth response to GH, and could be a promising parameter in selecting prepubertal short SGA children for GH treatment. However, this finding needs to be confirmed in larger studies. [less ▲]

Effect of 2 years of high-dose growth hormone therapy on cognitive and psychological development in short children born small for gestational age

in European Journal of Endocrinology (2007), 156(2), 195-201

Objective and design: Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are not only at risk for short stature, but also for neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. In this study, we analyzed the effects ... [more ▼]

Objective and design: Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are not only at risk for short stature, but also for neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. In this study, we analyzed the effects of high-dose GH therapy on cognitive development and psychosocial functioning in 34 prepubertal (3-8 years) short SGA children, equally randomized into a GH-treated group (TRG) and an untreated group (UTRG). Methods: At start and after 2 years, children underwent standardized tests measuring the intellectual abilities (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised, or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised); their parents completed a standardized questionnaire evaluating psychosocial functioning (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL). Results: At start, total IQ scores were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the SGA group than in the general population: 32% of the SGA patients had scores below 85. After 2 years, IQ scores remained unchanged in the TRG, but increased significantly (P<0.05) in the UTRG. After exclusion of children with developmental problems, however, no significant changes in IQ scores occurred in the UTRG as well as the TRG. At baseline, 24% (8/34) children had problematic CBCL total problems scores, equally distributed among the two groups; no significant changes in the different subscale scores occurred after 2 years. Conclusion: No beneficial effect of 2 years of GH therapy on cognitive and behavioral profile could be observed in a cohort of rather young short SGA children presenting a variable degree of developmental delay and behavioral problems. Subsequent follow-up could reveal potential long-term effects of GH therapy on development and behavior. © 2007 Society of the European Journal of Endocrinology. [less ▲]