Rapid Cardiovascular Effects of Growth Hormone treatment in short prepubertal children. Impact of treatment duration.

• OBJECTIVE: Previous studies show that growth hormone (GH) treatment increases cardiac dimensions in short children with GH deficiency (GHD) and has diverse cardiac effects in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS). This study was performed to assess the effect of GH on the cardiovascular system in short children with a broad range of GH secretion and GH sensitivity/responsiveness. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: In this prospective, multicentre study, short prepubertal children diagnosed with isolated GHD (89) or ISS (38) were followed during two years of GH treatment. They were randomized to receive either a standard (43 μg/kg/d) or individualized GH dose (range 17-100 μg/kg/d) based on GH responsiveness estimated by a prediction model and distance to target height. Echocardiography, blood pressure and electrocardiography were performed at baseline, 3, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass (LVM) indexed to body surface area increased significantly during two years of GH treatment in both GHD and ISS irrespective of randomized dose. This change was already apparent at three months, when standard deviation scores (SDS) of wall thickness and diameter were increased. At 24 months, left ventricular diameter SDS remained increased whereas myocardial thickness SDS returned to baseline values. There was no impairment of systolic or diastolic function. There was no correlation with treatment dose and LVM SDS at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of GH status, there was a rapid increase in LVM during GH treatment in short children. At 3 months, wall thickness and diameter were increased whereas only diameter remained increased at 24 months. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)