Changes of adrenal cortical function in children with growth hormone deficiency before and after treatment with recombinant human growth hormone / 临床儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the changes of adrenal cortical function in children with growth hormone deficiency before and after treatment with recombinant human growth hormone. Methods Seventy-two children diagnosed with GHD who received rhGH treatment for no less than 6 month were included, among whom there were 32 children who were accompanied with adrenal cortical hormone (ACTH) deficiency. The changes of fasting plasma cortisol (COR) and ACTH levels before and 3 and 6 months after treatment with rhGH were retrospectively analyzed. Results Thirty-two children with ACTH deficiency were treated with rhGH after COR level reached normal by the supplementing exogenous hydrocortisone. There was negative correlation between COR level before treatment and the HC dose that make the COR reach normal lowest limit level (r?=?-0.899, P??0.05). The level of COR was obviously decreased after treatment with rhGH, and there was statistical difference compared with that before treatment (P?children without ACTH deficiency, among whom 10 children with abnormal hypothalamic pituitary MRI had lower level of COR. Conclusion Adrenal cortical function can be reduced during the treatment with rhGH in children with GHD, especially in children with abnormal hypophysis MRI. Thus, during the treatment period, adrenal cortical function should be monitored, so as to make early intervention.