At present, the impairment of linear growth remains one of the major obstacles to successful social adaptation of children and adolescents with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), being the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) a therapeutic option. We evaluated growth and body composition (BC) in 11 prepubertal patients (9M/2F; 3.5-12.8y) with CRI and short stature and/or slow growth velocity treated with rhGh (0.7-1.0IU/Kg/week) for 18 months. Anthropometry and BC, examined by a tetrapolar bioeletrical impedance, were evaluated before, 6, 12 and 18 months after rhGH treatment; biochemical examinations and bone age were assessed before, and after 6 and 12 months. Six months after the onset of rhGH, there was a significant increment of weight, height, growth velocity and lean mass, with a significant decrease of fat mass; 12 months after, there was only a significant increment of height. Between 6 and 12 months, an inversion of BC was observed, with significant increment of fat mass and decrease of lean mass. Between 12 and 18 months, BC recovered, with a significant increment of lean mass and correspondent decrease of fat mass. The residual renal function was preserved, as well as the normal increment of bone age. In conclusion, rhGH administration for 18 months to children with CRI improved growth significantly and changed the BC, particularly in the first 12 months, with no side effects.
Chronic renal insufficiency; Growth hormone; Growth; Body composition; Bioimpedance
