The impact of recombinant human growth hormone on growth and development of low weight premature infants

Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) shows remarkable curative effect on premature infants’ growth and development. This study analyzed the effect of rHGH on low weight premature infants. Premature infants delivered in our hospital were selected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test the growth and development related indicators, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), IGF-1/IGFBP-3, and fasting glucose. Adverse reactions were observed. After 6 months’ treatment, body weight (10.4 ± 0.5 kg), length (68.1 ± 2.4 cm), and head circumference (35.8 ± 2.2 cm) in experimental group were significantly higher than that in control, at birth, and treatment for 3 months, respectively (P < 0.05). Experimental group performed higher body mass increasing speed, head circumference increasing speed, and length increasing speed, shorter reaching adequate feeding time through the mouth, and lower EUGR incidence (P < 0.05). After the treatment for 6 months, experimental group presented higher serum IGF-1 (184.2 ± 152.3 ng/mL), IGFBP-3 (5.4 ± 1.7 ng/mL), and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 (36.4 ± 4.5 ng/ml) levels than the control group, at birth, and treatment for 3 months, respectively (P < 0.05). Fasting glucose (5.23 ± 2.3 mmol/L) was obviously higher in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Four cases appeared local skin reactions (13.3%) and self-relieved. Recombinant human growth hormone could safely promote low weight premature infants growth.