Effects of growth hormone treatment on growth and body composition in Prader-Willi syndrome: a preliminary report. The Swedish National Growth Hormone Advisory Group.

A controlled, randomized study was conducted to assess the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on growth, body composition and behaviour in prepubertal children (3-12 years of age) with Prader-Willi syndrome. GH treatment was given to one group of 15 patients (group A) at a dose of 0.1 IU/kg/day for 2 years. The second group (group B; n = 12) was not treated for the first year and was then given GH at a dose of 0.2 IU/kg/day for the second year. All patients had low 24-hour levels of GH and insulin-like growth factor I before GH treatment. Height velocity SDS increased from -1.9 +/- 2.0 to 6.0 +/- 3.2 during the first year of GH treatment in group A, and from -1.4 +/- 1.2 to 10.1 +/- 3.9 in the second year of the study in group B. When GH treatment was stopped, height velocity declined dramatically. Height SDS followed a similar pattern. GH treatment reduced the percentage body fat and increased the muscle area of the thigh. Isometric muscle strength was also increased. In addition, GH treatment appeared to have psychological and behavioural benefits, which were reversed after cessation of treatment. It was concluded that GH treatment improves growth, body composition and behaviour in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.