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.