Height Outcome of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Treatment in Achondroplasia Children: A Meta-Analysis

Horm Res Paediatr. 2016;86(1):27-34. doi: 10.1159/000446958. Epub 2016 Jun 30.

Abstract

Background/aims: Although recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is not approved to treat short stature of achondroplasia (ACH), some studies suggested growth improvement during short-term rhGH treatment.

Methods: A meta-analysis of rhGH therapy efficacy in ACH children was performed.

Results: From 12 English-language studies, 558 (54.0% males) rhGH-treated ACH children were enrolled. Administration of rhGH (median dosage 0.21 mg/kg/ week; range 0.16-0.42 mg/kg/week) improved height (Ht) from baseline [-5.069 standard deviation score (SDS; 95% CI -5.109 to -5.029); p < 0.0001] to 12 [-4.325 SDS (95% CI -4.363 to -4.287); p < 0.0001] and 24 months [-4.073 SDS (95% CI -4.128 to -4.019); p < 0.0001]. Then, Ht remained approximately constant up to 5 years [-3.941 SDS (95% CI -4.671 to -3.212); p < 0.0001].

Conclusions: In ACH children, rhGH treatment increased Ht from -5.0 to -4.0 SDS during 5 years, but insufficient data are available on both the adult Ht and the changes of body proportions.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Achondroplasia / drug therapy*
  • Achondroplasia / physiopathology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Height / drug effects*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Human Growth Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone