GROWTH-HORMONE TREATMENT FOR BURNED CHILDREN

Several growth hormones show promise in the treatment of burn injuries , particularly for paediatric patients. Animal studies and clinical tr ials indicate that growth hormones help modulate the devastating effec ts of the hypermetabolic response to burn injury and improve wound hea ling. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been shown to reduce loss of body weight, stimulate protein synthesis, increase epithelial cell proliferation, and accelerate wound healing. Accelerated wound c losure reduces the risk of infection, shortens hospital stay, and lowe rs overall medical costs. Current investigations are in progress to de termine the effects of rhGH on anabolic growth arrests experienced by paediatric burn survivors.