What is the evidence for beneficial effects of growth hormone treatment beyond height in short children born small for gestational age? A review of published literature

Background: An increasing body of evidence supports the view that both an adverse intrauterine milieu and rapid postnatal weight gain in children born small for gestational age (SGA) contribute towards the risk for the development of chronic diseases in adult life. Content: The aim of this review was to identify and summarize the published evidence on metabolic and cardiovascular risk, as well as risk of impaired cardiac function, intellectual capacity, quality of life, pubertal development and bone strength among children born SGA. The review will then address whether growth hormone (Gil) therapy, commonly prescribed to reduce the height deficit in children born SGA who do not catch up in height, increases or decreases these risks over time. Summary: Overall, there are limited data in support of a modest beneficial effect of Gil therapy on the adverse metabolic and cardiovascular risk observed in short children born SGA. Evidence to support a positive effect of Gil on bone strength and psychosocial outcomes is less convincing. Outlook: Further evaluation into the clinical relevance of any potential long-term benefits of G11 therapy on metabolic and cardiovascular endpoints is warranted.