Therapeutic potential of a combination of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) and vitamin D in children with idiopathic short stature

Purpose: To study the effectiveness and clinical significance of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in combination with vitamin D in the treatment of idiopathic short-stature children. Methods: A total of 90 idiopathic short-stature children admitted at Children Health Care Center of Shiyan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shiyan between March 2017 and March 2020 were assigned to three groups: A, B and C, based on dose of r-hGH given. Group A received r-hGH at a dose of 0.26 mg/kg/week, while groups B and C received r-hGH at doses of 0.35 and .0.42 mg/kg/week, respectively. All the patients were given vitamin D along with the r-hGH doses administered. Height, growth rate, bone age, height standard deviation score, fasting blood glucose, thyroid function and treatment effectiveness were determined and compared among the three groups before treatment, and one year after treatment. Results: Significantly higher height standard deviation score, growth rate, bone age, and height were observed in the three groups of patients after one year of treatment than before treatment, with group A < group B < group C (p < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose and thyroid function were not significantly different amongst the three groups after treatment (p < 0.05). Group C showed the highest treatment effectiveness, followed by group B, and then group A (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of a combination of r-hGH and vitamin D produces a favorable treatment effectiveness in idiopathic short-stature children. However, further clinical trials are required to validate this treatment strategy.