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Treatment with human growth hormone in patients with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome reduces body fat and increases muscle mass and physical performance

  • Endocrinology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Twelve children with documented Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome were treated with human growth hormone (24 U/m2/week) during 1 year. The children were divided into three groups: group 1: overweight and prepubertal (n = 6, age 3.8–7.0 years); group 2: underweight and prepubertal (n = 3, age 0.6–4.1 years); group 3: pubertal (n = 3, age 9.2–14.6 years). In group 1, height increased from -1.7 SD to -0.6 SD, while weight decreased from 1.1 SD to 0.4 SD, with a dramatic drop in weight for height from 3.8 SD to 1.2 SD. Hand length increased from -1.5 SD to -0.4 SD and foot length from -2.5 SD to -1.4 SD. Body fat, measured by dual X-ray energy absorptiometry, dropped by a third, whereas muscle mass increased by a fourth. Physical capability (Wingate test) improved considerably. The children were reported to be much more active and capable. In group 2, similar changes were seen, but weight for height increased, probably because muscle mass increase exceeded fat mass decrease. Changes in group 3 were similar as in group 1, even though far less distinct.

Conclusion

Growth hormone treatment in Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome led to dramatic changes: distinct increase in growth velocity, height and muscle mass, as well as an improvement in physical performance. Fat mass and weight for height decreased in the initially overweight children, and weight for height increased in underweight children.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

DEXA:

dual X-ray energy absorptiometry

FFM:

fat free mass

GHD:

growth hormone deficiency

hGH:

human growth hormone

LBM:

lean body mass

PWS:

Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome

IGF:

insulin-like growth factor

W AnT:

Wingate anaerobic test

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Adolescent Medicine and Foundation Growth Puberty Adolescence, Möhrlistrasse 69, CH-8006, Zurich, Switzerland

    U. Eiholzer, R. Gisin & C. Weinmann

  2. Children’s Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    S. Kriemler

  3. Department of Medical Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Zurich University, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    H. Steinert

  4. Department of Paediatrics, University of Zurich, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland

    T. Torresani, M. Zachmann & A. Prader

Authors
  1. U. Eiholzer
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  2. R. Gisin
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  3. C. Weinmann
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  4. S. Kriemler
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  5. H. Steinert
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  6. T. Torresani
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  7. M. Zachmann
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  8. A. Prader
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Correspondence to U. Eiholzer.

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Eiholzer, U., Gisin, R., Weinmann, C. et al. Treatment with human growth hormone in patients with Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome reduces body fat and increases muscle mass and physical performance. Eur J Pediatr 157, 368–377 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050832

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050832

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