Anabolic agents, such as recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), have been
used effectively to ameliorate the catabolic response to burn injury and t
o improve wound-healing. However, in experimental animal models, growth hor
mone has also been associated with increased renal scarring. The effect of
rhGH on the development of human scarring is unknown. Therefore, the purpos
e of this study was to assess the effect of rhGH on the scarring of human s
kin after burn injury. A series of 94 patients was studied in a prospective
randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients receiving 0.2 mg/kg/day s
ubcutaneous rhGH during their acute hospital stars presented with the same
quality and intensity of scarring as patients receiving a placebo. Similar
reconstructive needs also resulted. The treatment of severely burned childr
en with recombinant human growth hormone during the acute-phase hospital co
urse did not increase scarring of the burn wound.