GROWTH-HORMONE TREATMENT IN CHILDREN BEFORE AND AFTER RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

Growth failure is a major problem for many children with chronic renal disease. For approximately 75% of pediatric renal allograft recipient s final height falls below the third percentile. In the intermediate t erm, recombinant human growth hormone (GH) therapy at a dose of 28-30/ m(2)/week accelerates growth significantly in patients with growth ret ardation secondary to chronic renal failure and after renal transplant ation, without evidence of adverse effects or acceleration of bone mat uration, Therefore, GH therapy may well improve final height of these patients.