How does GH therapy effect cardiac function in children with GHD?

Systolic and diastolic function may be impaired in children with Growth Hormone deficiency (GHD) on GH therapy, although parameters may improve after 1 year of treatment, according to a study.

In this study, researchers 49 children with GHD between the ages of 8-16 years and 49 healthy peers. Children with GHD were divided into 2 groups according to peak GH response <7 μg/L and 7-10 μg/L after 2 GH stimulation tests at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months after therapy initiation.

Left ventricular end diastolic and systolic diameters were significantly lower in children with GHD compared to healthy children, however, within 1 year of treatment both diameters increased significantly, and normal values were achieved.

Tissue Doppler imaging found increased E/A, prolonged isovolumic relaxation time, and shortened ejection time in children with GHD. It also found a significant increase in myocardial performance index in children with GHD compared to healthy children. In the 6th month of treatment, there was a significant improvement in these parameters, although it did not match the parameters in healthy peers. At 1 year, parameters did not match those of healthy children. There was no correlation found between IGF-1 concentration and any echocardiographic parameter.

Reference
Alkan F, Ersoy B, Kızılay DO, et al. Cardiac functions in children with growth hormone deficiency: Effects of one year of GH replacement therapy. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2021;60-61:101432. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2021.101432. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34715474.