Efficiacy of recombinant human growth hormone in pediatric renal transplantation patients after withdrawal of steroid therapy: Report of two cases

The effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) were examined in 2 girls without any endocrine abnormalities who showed growth retardation after renal transplantation. After transplantation they received methylprednisolone, which was discontinued 5 years before (in one child), and 3 months after (in the other child) the start of rhGH treatment. The patients received cyclosporine, mizoribine, and azathioprine as immunosuppressive therapy before and during rhGH therapy, 1.0 IU/kg per week divided into 6 doses administered subcutaneously. Growth evaluation on the basis of height standard deviation score (SDS) and growth velocity SDS demonstrated catch-up growth in both cases. Skeletal maturation did not proceed, and their pubertal stage remained unchanged during rhGH treatment. In both cases, renal function was stable and no adverse reaction was noted during rhGH treatment.