Alessandro Ciresi, Floriana Cicciò, Stefano Radellini, Valentina Guarnotta, Anna Maria Calcaterra, Carla Giordano
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether two different regimens of weekly injections could lead to similar auxological and metabolic effects in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
DESIGN: 32 GHD children (25 males, mean age 10.5 ± 2.2 yr) were randomly assigned to receive daily (group A, 16 patients) or TIW (group B, 16 patients) GHT for 12 months.
METHODS: Auxological parameters, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), glucose and insulin during OGTT, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, the oral disposition index (DIo), the homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance (Homa-IR), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI).
RESULTS: After 12 months, both groups showed a significant and comparable improvement in height ( < 0.001) and IGF-I ( < 0.001). As regards the metabolic parameters, in both groups, we found a significant increase in fasting insulin ( < 0.001 and = 0.026) and Homa-IR ( < 0.001 and = 0.019). A significant increase in fasting glucose ( = 0.001) and a decrease in ISI ( < 0.001) and DIo ( = 0.002) were only found in group A.
CONCLUSIONS: The TIW regimen is effective and comparable with the daily regimen in improving auxological parameters and has a more favorable metabolic impact in GHD children. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03033121.
