Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

Journal:


Ann. Surg.

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 243, 6, 796-803

Publication Website:

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE:
To study the efficacy of growth hormone given to severely burned children from discharge to 12 months after burn and for 12 months after the drug was discontinued.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:
We have previously shown that low-dose recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), given to children after a severe thermal injury, successfully improved lean muscle mass, bone mineral content, and growth. The aim of the present study was to investigate long-term functional improvements after treatment.

METHODS:
Forty-four pediatric patients with over 40% total body surface area burns were studied for 24 months after burn. Patients were randomized to receive either rhGH (0.05 mg/kg body weight) or placebo. Height, weight, body composition, serum hormones, resting energy expenditure, cardiac function, muscle strength, and number of reconstructive procedures performed were measured during rhGH treatment and for 12 months after treatment was discontinued. Statistical analysis used Tukey's multiple comparison test. Significance was accepted at P

RESULTS:
Height, weight, lean body mass, bone mineral content, cardiac function, and muscle strength significantly improved during rhGH treatment compared with placebo (P

CONCLUSIONS:
Administration of rhGH for 1 year after burn was safe and improved recovery. These salutary effects continued after rhGH treatment was discontinued.

Author(s):


Przkora, R., Herndon, D.N., Suman, O.E., Jeschke, M.G., Meyer, W.J., Chinkes, D.L., Mlcak, R.P., Huang, T., Barrow, R.E.

Participating Centers: