Changes in body composition and energy expenditure after six weeks' growth hormone treatment

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 66; no. 5; pp. 598 - 602
• Main Authors: Gregory, J W, Greene, S A, Jung, R T, Scrimgeour, C M, Rennie, M J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.05.1991; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Body composition; Body Composition - drug effects; Body Composition - physiology; Body Height - drug effects; Child; Drug therapy; Energy metabolism; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Evaluation; Female; Growth Disorders - drug therapy; Growth Hormone - deficiency; Growth Hormone - therapeutic use; Hormones. Endocrine system; Humans; Male; Measurement; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Physiological aspects; Short stature; Skinfold Thickness; Somatotropin; Stature, Short; Time Factors; Human; Chemotherapy; Composition; Energy; Radiolabelling; Efficiency; STH; Prediction; Calorimetry; Child
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.66.5.598

Changes in body composition and energy expenditure were assessed in 15 children after six weeks of human growth hormone (hGH) treatment. Body composition measurements were made by stable isotope labelled water (H2(18)O) dilution, bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold thickness techniques. Energy expenditure was assessed both by indirect ventilated hood calorimetry (resting energy expenditure) and the stable isotope doubly labelled water (2H2(18)O) technique (free living daily total energy expenditure). Mean increases in weight of 0.96 kg and fat free mass of 1.37 kg and a mean decrease in fat mass of 0.41 kg were observed. Significant increases both in resting energy expenditure and free living daily energy expenditure were detected. Absolute changes in fat mass and resting energy expenditure were correlated. The data suggest (i) that the increase in the fat free mass is the most significant early clinical measure of hGH response and (ii) that hGH increases the metabolic activity of the fat free mass. Monitoring such changes may be predictive of the efficacy of hGH in promoting growth.