Pharmacology of New Hormonal Therapies in the Treatment of Pediatric Endocrine Disorders

The availability of new hormonal therapies for pediatric endocrine disorders is related directly to recent advances in genetic engineering. Hormonal therapy is now available for anterior and posterior pituitary disorders, as well as for disorders related to precocious sexual development. Much of the research in these areas has focused on the synthesis and application of hormone–releasing hormones (of hypothalamic origin), which appear to be more effective therapeutic agents than the hormones that they modulate. We also have gained greater understanding of the role of recombinant–derived human insulins in the treatment of type I diabetes, also discussed herein.