Publication at Second Faculty of Medicine |
2008
Abstract
The spectrum of diagnoses suitable for growth hormone (GH) treatment is going wider. This trend recalls the discussion about the longterm effect of GH therapy (applied in supraphysiological doses) on body composition in children.
Studies directed on this topic assessed visceral and subcutaneous fat, muscles, parameters of bone quality and their proportions and interplays. There is a clear evidence that growth hormone therapy has a positive impact on body composition in all groups of children treated - it decreases relative proportion of body fat, increases muscle area, and (primarily or secondary) improves bone quality.