Growth hormone therapy in children with idiopathic short stature – the effect on appetite and appetite-regulating hormones: a pilot study

ABSTRACTAim: To investigate the effect of growth hormone (GH) therapy on appetite-regulating hormones and to examine the association between these hormones and the response to GH, body composition, and resting energy expenditure (REE).Methods: Nine pre-pubertal children with idiopathic short stature underwent a standard meal test before and 4 months following initiation of GH treatment. Ghrelin, GLP-1, leptin, and insulin levels were measured; area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Height, weight, body composition, REE, and insulin-like growth factor levels were recorded at baseline and after 4 and 12 months.Results: Following 4 months of GH therapy, food intake increased, with increased height-standard deviation score (SDS), weight-SDS, and REE (p < .05). Significant changes in appetite-regulating hormones included a decrease in postprandial AUC ghrelin levels (p = .045) and fasting GLP-1 (p = .038), and an increase in fasting insulin (p = .043). Ghrelin levels before GH treatment were positively cor...