Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of long-acting polyethylene glycol recombinant human growth hormone(PEG-rhGH) versus short-acting recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) in children with growth hormone deficiency(GHD) and their effects on body mass index(BMI), thyroid function, and glucose metabolism, so as to provide references for individualized clinical medication.
METHODS In this retrospective study, 90 children with GHD were enrolled, including 45 cases each in the PEG-rhGH and rhGH groups. Changes in height, height standard deviation score(Ht SDS), annualized growth velocity, change in Ht SDS(ΔHt SDS), insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1), BMI, thyroid function, fasting blood glucose, and fasting insulin were analyzed.
RESULTS Linear mixed-effects model analysis revealed significant improvements in height and Ht SDS in both groups after treatment(P<0.001). No significant difference in height was observed between the 2 groups within the first 12 months of treatment. Starting from the 15th month, the rhGH group showed significantly greater height than the PEG-rhGH group, and this difference was maintained at the 21st and 24th months(P<0.05). No significant difference in Ht SDS was found between the groups. Regarding growth dynamics, the annualized growth velocity peaked within the first 3 months in both groups(12.44 cm vs 11.96 cm). During the 7–9 month treatment period, the rhGH group exhibited a significantly higher annualized growth velocity than the PEG-rhGH group(P=0.034), accompanied by a greater ΔHt SDS(P=0.038). No significant intergroup differences were observed in other periods. BMI increased significantly after treatment in the PEG-rhGH group, showing a significant difference compared to the rhGH group at 12 months(P=0.005), which disappeared by 24 months. No significant changes were observed in T4, TSH, or insulin levels between the 2 groups before and after treatment. Although significant changes in T3 and fasting blood glucose were noted within groups, all values remained within the normal range.
CONCLUSION Both long-acting PEG-rhGH and short-acting rhGH effectively promote growth in children with GHD and demonstrate comparable efficacy in Ht SDS. The rhGH regimen may offer a greater advantage in long-term height gain, whereas PEG-rhGH requires closer monitoring of early BMI changes. Both medications have minimal impact on thyroid function and glucose metabolism, demonstrating good safety profiles.