Growth deficiency is one of complications in chronic renal failure (CRF). In Poland recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) was introduce to treatment in children with CRF in 1994. The aim of study was to evaluate causes of the end of rhGH treatment in children with CRF.
Patients and methods: Among 90 children with different stages of CRF treated with rhGH between 2000-2005 we analyzed 85 patients (33 in CRF and 52 in ESRD), in mean age 9.8 years (from 3 to 17.8 years) which finished therapy. RhGH was used subcutaneously, everyday in doses 1.1 j/kg/week. The anthropometric measurements were performed at the beginning and after one year of the study.
Results: The mean time of treatment in 85 children was 18.4 months (1-60 months). The causes of the treatment termination were: renal transplantation in 40 pts (47%), increase of PTH serum level in 13 pts (15.3%), lack of treatment effect in 10pts (11.8%), height achievement at the level of 10c in 10 pts (11.8%), non compliance in 3 pts (3.5%), patient's decision of finishing therapy in 6 pts (7%) and the diagnosis of diabetes during rhGH treatment in 1 pts (1.2%), acute pancreatitis in 1pts (1.2%), epilepsy in 1 pts (1.2%). 25 (29.5%) of out 85 analyzed children had finished the study in the first year. In other 60 patients mean growth velocity was 8.1 cm/year (from 3.3 to 12.4 cm/year).
Conclusions: The main causes of the termination of rhGH treatment in children with CRF were renal transplantation and decompensated secondary hyperparathyroidism.