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 .
Effect of Different Growth Hormone Dosages on the Growth Velocity in Children Born Small for Gestational Age
To assess whether short-term growth hormone ( GH ) treatment can improve the linear growth in children who were born small for gestational age ( SGA ) , we started a r and omized multicenter trial in 26 age- and sex-matched prepubertal children born SGA . During the 1st year of GH therapy , all children received GH 0.23 mg/kg/week , then during the 2nd year , 13 children received the same dose ( group A ) , and in the other 13 children , the dose of GH was doubled , i.e. , 0.46 mg/kg/week ( group B ) . During the 1st year of therapy , the growth velocity significantly ( p < 0.0001 ) increased in all patients . During the 2nd year , group A showed a significant decrease of the growth velocity ( p < 0.015 ) , whereas group B maintained the growth rate . The height in group A children significantly increased during the 1st and the 2nd year of GH therapy ( p < 0.000002 and p < 0.000001 , respectively ) , reaching the normal range in 8 out of 13 children at the end of 2 years of GH therapy . The height in group B children significantly increased during the 1st and the 2nd year of GH therapy ( p < 0.000001 and p < 0.000001 , respectively ) , reaching the normal range in all 11 children who completed the GH therapy . The height gain was similar in groups A and B treated with the same GH dosage during the 1st year of therapy . A greater increase in height gain was found in children of group B treated with the higher GH dosage during the 2nd year of therapy as compared with group A ( p < 0.02 ) . Significant increases in insulin-like growth factor I ( p < 0.0001 ) , acid-labile subunit ( p < 0.0002 ) , and bone/chronological age ratio ( p < 0.0001 ) were found after the 1st year of GH therapy , but no significant changes were observed during the 2nd year , independently of the GH dose . In conclusion , the height velocity of children born SGA  significantly increases during the 1st year of GH therapy , diminishes , but can decrease during the 2nd year , if the GH dosage is not raised
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 .