Growth hormone treatment of patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

Several studies have now been published on the effect of one or several yea rs of growth hormone treatment on growth and body composition of children w ith Prader-Willi syndrome. The majority of the patients have responded with greatly increased growth rate, decreased body fat and increased muscle vol ume. Many of these children seem to have a functional growth hormone defici ency, probably secondary to their hypothalamic dysfunction. Further studies are needed to establish the long-term effect of this treatment on somatic and psychological wellbeing.