Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on the development of burn scarring

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.