Effect of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) on Children with Achondroplasia (ACH)

Abstract

Abstract:Back ground: This study, we evaluate the effectiveness of using recombinant GH for ten Achondroplastic children.Patient & method: the children. (7 females, 3 males) with typical features of achondroplasia, 4-14 years age, participated in this study. Physical and anthropometric measurements were taken every 3 moths, 12 months before and 12 months during GH therapy.Results: for children less than 10 year of age, the mean growth rate is increased from 3.4±0.4cm/year in the pretreatment period to 8±1.1 cm/year during the first year of GH treatment. For children more than 10 years of age, the mean growth rate is increased from 3.2± 0.6 cm/year in the pretreatment period to 5.6± 1.3 cm/year during the first year of GH treatment.Conclusion: this study and several other studies confirmed that GH therapy is beneficial in the treatment of short stature in children with Achondroplasia (during the first year of treatment), how ever, is still premature to conclude that the GH will improve the adult height.Key words: Growth hormone & achondroplasia