Serum leptin in short children born small for gestational age: Dose-dependent effect of growth hormone treatment

Objective: To study the effects of different regimens of growth hormone (GH ) treatment on serum leptin levels in 78 short prepubertal children born sm all for gestational age (SGA), Methods: The children were originally includ ed in two independent multicenter trials, one in Belgium and one in the Nor dic countries. SGA children were randomized either to remain untreated or t o be treated with GH at a daily dose of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 IU/kg for 2 years. Thereafter, treatment was continued for another 2 years in the Nordic child ren, whereas it was discontinued in the Belgian children. Results: In the G H treatment groups, a significant dose-dependent decrease in leptin levers was found during the first year of therapy, with a mean decrease of 13, 23 and 32% in the groups receiving GH at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 IU/kg, respectively, When high-dose treatment was interrupted, serum leptin increased within 1 year to pretreatment levels, Conclusion: Serum leptin levels in short child ren born SGA are transiently reduced by GH treatment in a dose-dependent fa shion. The most pronounced changes in serum leptin were documented within t he first year after initiation and withdrawal of high-dose GH treatment.