Effects of Growth Hormone in Chronically Ill Children
Status:
Withdrawn
Trial end date:
2006-02-03
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The specific aims for this study are -
1. To determine the effect of GH on height, height velocity, body weight and lean body
mass. This specific aim tests the hypothesis that GH significantly improves height,
height velocity, weight, weight velocity and lean body mass in chronically ill children
who have grown poorly despite adequate nutritional rehabilitation.
2. To determine the effect of GH on whole body protein turnover (WBPT), IGF-1 levels and on
cytokines. This specific aim tests the hypothesis that chronically ill children have
increased catabolism, caused by high levels of circulating cytokines and low levels of
IGF-1, and that these abnormalities improve with GH treatment.
3. Evaluation of bone mineral density and bone turnover. This specific aim tests the
hypothesis that bone density is low in chronically ill children secondary to increased
osteoclast activity correlating with elevated cytokine levels.
We hypothesize that the anabolic effects of growth hormone (GH) will improve the height and
weight of chronically ill children who have failed to grow despite receiving adequate
nutrition via gastrostomy tube or oral supplementation.