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Efficacy and safety of long-term continuous growth hormone treatment in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Roderick de Lind van Wijngaarden, Elbrich Siemensma, Dederieke Festen, B.J. Otten, Edgar van Mil, J. Rotteveel, R.J. Odink, Karen Bindels-de Heus, Mariette van Leeuwen, Danny Haring, Gianni Bocca, E. C.A. Mieke Houdijk, Gera Hoorweg-Nijman, R.C. Vreuls, Petr E. Jira, A. S. Paul Van Trotsenburg, Boudewijn Bakker, E.J. Schroor, Jan Willem Pilon, Jan M. WitStenvert L S Drop, Anita C.S. Hokken-Koelega

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have abnormal body composition and impaired growth. Short-term GH treatment has beneficial effects.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate effects of long-term continuous GH treatment on body composition, growth, bone maturation, and safety parameters.

Setting: We conducted a multicenter prospective trial.

Design: Fifty-five children with a mean ± SD age of 5.9 ± 3.2 yr were followed during 4 yr of continuous GH treatment (1 mg/m2 · d). Data were annually obtained in one center: fat percentage (fat%) and lean body mass (LBM) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, height, weight, head circumference, bone age, blood pressure, and fasting IGF-I, IGF binding protein-3, glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein. SD scores (SDS) were calculated according to Dutch and PWS reference values (SDS and SDSPWS).

Results: Fat%SDS was significantly lower after 4 yr of GH treatment (P < 0.0001). LBMSDS significantly increased during the first year (P = 0.02) but returned to baseline values the second year and remained unchanged thereafter. Mean ± SD height normalized from −2.27 ± 1.2 SDS to −0.24 ± 1.2 SDS (P < 0.0001). Head circumference SDS increased from −0.79 ± 1.0 at start to 0.07 ± 1.1 SDS after 4 yr. BMISDSPWS significantly decreased. Mean ± SD IGF-I and the IGF-I/IGF binding protein-3 ratio significantly increased to 2.08 ± 1.1 and 2.32 ± 0.9 SDS, respectively. GH treatment had no adverse effects on bone maturation, blood pressure, glucose homeostasis, and serum lipids.

Conclusions: Our study in children with PWS shows that 4 yr of continuous GH treatment (1 mg/m2 · d) improves body composition by decreasing fat%SDS and stabilizing LBMSDS and head circumference SDS and normalizes heightSDS without adverse effects. Thus, long-term continuous GH treatment is an effective and safe therapy for children with PWS.

Long-term growth hormone treatment is effective and safe in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)4205-4215
Number of pages11
JournalThe Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Volume94
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2009
Externally publishedYes

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