This SR highlights the lack of long-term RCTs reporting final height data and other important qualitative outcomes , such as quality of life .
ABSTRACT Genotropin ( somatropin ) is licensed for the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency , Prader-Willi syndrome , Turner syndrome , chronic renal insufficiency and in children born small for gestational age .
This systematic review ( SR ) evaluated the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of Genotropin in these conditions to inform a NICE Technology Appraisal of growth hormone for the treatment of growth failure in children .
Short boys treated with growth hormone show normal progression of testicular size and achieve normal serum testosterone concentrations.
OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is evidence for impaired testicular function at final height in short boys treated with growth hormone ( GH ) during their childhood and adolescence . STUDY DESIGN The analysis was restricted to males who had isolated GH deficiency or idiopathic short stature , and who were included in the Swedish National Registry and the Swedish GH trials . The subjects had to have been treated with GH for at least 4 years ; the treatment had to have been started prepubertally , given for at least one year before the onset of puberty and the subjects had to have reached final height . One hundred and eleven boys fulfilled the criteria . METHODS Testicular volumes were determined by  orchidometer  in each boy when GH treatment was started and at final height . Sample s for testosterone measurements were collected from 77 boys at final height , and were measured by RIA . RESULTS Each subject had normal testicular size ( 15 ml or more ) and for those in whom concentrations were determined , serum testosterone levels and diurnal rhythm were normal . CONCLUSIONS The results of our survey do not show evidence of testicular impairment following GH therapy
This SR highlights the lack of long-term RCTs reporting final height data and other important qualitative outcomes , such as quality of life .
ABSTRACT Genotropin ( somatropin ) is licensed for the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency , Prader-Willi syndrome , Turner syndrome , chronic renal insufficiency and in children born small for gestational age .
This systematic review ( SR ) evaluated the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of Genotropin in these conditions to inform a NICE Technology Appraisal of growth hormone for the treatment of growth failure in children .