ParfumGigi@aol.com

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment improves height and weight, increases the quality of life, and reduces the number of hospitalizations in prepubertal children with cystic fibrosis (CF), investigators report in the December issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Dr. Dana S. Hardin of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and colleagues randomized 61 children between 7 and 12 years of age with cystic fibrosis to daily rhGH or no treatment for one year. After that year, children crossed over to the opposite arm of the study for another year.

After one year, Dr. Hardin's team reports, children who received rhGH showed "significantly greater gain in height, weight, lean mass and bone mineralization."

There were fewer hospitalizations, and children on rhGH reported a better quality of life and better self-image. Pulmonary function was similar in treated and control subjects.

After the second year of the study, results were similar in those receiving rhGH.

After treatment with rhGH had ended, there was a sustained effect on height and weight velocity and in accrual of bone mineral. Neither this nor other studies have shown a deleterious effect of rhGH treatment, the researchers report.

The team observed an equal improvement in height among children in and below the normal range, and this "reflects an important benefit of rhGH treatment." Previous studies have indicated an association between decreased height and poor pulmonary function.

The reduction in hospitalizations is another important finding, the researchers note. "Although the cost of rhGH treatment is high, the cost is offset by reduction of even one hospitalization per year."

Although there was improved growth, there was no increase in calorie intake, suggesting an improvement in caloric efficiency. Improved protein catabolism was observed in previous studies by Dr. Hardin's team. There was no evidence of increased insulin resistance with rhGH treatment.

The investigators conclude that "rhGH imparts improved nutritional, growth and clinical benefits," and that this therapy may well be applicable to children with other chronic illnesses affecting growth.