Not only body height: pleiotropic effects of recombinant growth hormone treatment in the pediatric population

Introduction
Growth hormone (GH) is a polypeptide synthesized and secreted by somatotrope cells in the anterior part of the pituitary gland. It is indicated in the treatment of short stature in GH deficiency (GHD), panhypopituitarism, Turner syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency, Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), and in children born small for gestational age (SGA). GH is mainly responsible for longitudinal bone growth, but its range of activity and treatment effects are much more extensive.

Purpose
The purpose of the study was to synthesize recent findings from the past five years, with particular attention to efficacy and safety in the context of pediatric GH therapy.

Material and methods
The research method used was a literature review of articles published from 2020 to 2025, using the PubMed library.

Results
The most pronounced effects of GH therapy, measured as decreasing height standard deviation score, are achieved in patients with GHD compared with those born SGA. GH therapy in children positively affects the lipid profile and body composition, including a significant reduction in percent body fat and an increase in lean body mass. It also has positive effects on cognitive functions in children with PWS. GH promotes chondrocyte proliferation and skeletal muscle synthesis. There is no association between GH therapy and the development of neoplasms.

Conclusions
Patients with GHD and SGA usually achieve a satisfactory final height. GH therapy also confers significant metabolic benefits across all groups. Appropriately tailored therapy, combined with systematic follow-up, allows for the achievement of target growth outcomes while maintaining a favorable safety profile.