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 .
Clinical Effects of Treatment for Hypogonadism in Male Adolescents with Prader-Labhart-Willi Syndrome
Background : In boys with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome ( PWS ) , hypogonadism causes pubertal arrest and reduces pubertal muscle growth . Formerly , it was assumed that therapy with gonadal hormones accentuates behaviour abnormalities in PWS . Our aim was to assess the clinical effects of human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG ) therapy on pubertal development , muscle mass and behaviour in adolescents with PWS . Methods : 6 peripubertal boys with PWS undergoing long-term treatment with growth hormone  were examined 6-monthly for at least 2 years before and after pubertal arrest ( 13.5 ± 0.3 years , mean ± SEM ) and the beginning of hCG therapy ( 500–1,500 IU twice weekly , intramuscularly ) . Height , weight , pubertal stage , bone age , body composition ( by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ) , testosterone levels and behaviour abnormalities ( obtained from parents ) were assessed . Results : Testicular volume and lean mass were reduced in pubertal boys with PWS . During hCG therapy , testosterone levels and lean mass significantly increased ( at the beginning and after 2 years of hCG therapy : 2.3 ± 0.9 and 10.7 ± 1.3 nmol/l , –3.1 ± 0.3 and –1.4 ± 0.6 SD , respectively ) , and fat mass stabilized at 38 % . The characteristically observed PWS-associated problems , mood instability , aggressiveness and difficulties in social interaction , did not deteriorate during therapy . Conclusion : In the present study , timely application of hCG to treat hypogonadism in boys with PWS  promoted virilization and normalized muscle mass without detrimental effects on behaviour . Larger studies comparing hCG therapy with testosterone replacement would be useful
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 .