Growth hormone works for short children were premature: study (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - short children born prematurely see significant improvements in their height and weight during the first year of treatment with the growth hormone, although that long-term follow-up is required, an international study said.

Approximately 10 per cent of all infants are born prematurely, said Margaret Boguszewski, main author of the study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & metabolism. Premature birth is defined as less than 37 weeks of gestation.

"Advances in perinatal ensure that most of them will survive," she told Reuters Health by email.

"So, concern now focuses on the development and growth of these children." However, even with all the advances in perinatal care... some children born preterm remain smaller than their counterparts born at the end. ?

Boguszewski, Clinicas hospital, Curitiba, Brazil and colleagues noted that growth hormone may be useful for these children, but that preterm birth was usually ruled out their participation in clinical trials.

The study, they have identified 3 215 prepubertal children born at 37 weeks or less, with the growth of International of Pfizer The basic data (formerly Kabi Pharmacia growth international study). Children have received growth hormone.

Most is born in 33 to 37 weeks at an age appropriate for the gestation, 629 were born before 32 weeks in the appropriate weight, 519 had a 33 to 37 weeks gestation and are small for their gestational age and 139 were very premature and small for their gestational age.

The median age at the beginning of the treatment of growth hormone varies between 6 and 7.5 years.

After the first year of treatment, the four groups had a significant increase in weight and height of the speed. The highest growth rate was in the very preterm group.

"The conclusion was that short children born prematurely respond well to the first year of growth hormone treatment, and improvement of the speed of growth," Boguszewski told Reuters Health.

"Further studies are needed to collect information on the response of growth in the long term, the adult height and the safety of the treatment of hormone growth in short children after premature birth".