Study to Examine Insulin Resistance During Growth Hormone Treatment for Short Stature Due to Low Birthweight
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2011-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Insulin resistance is common among children with low birthweight. Moreover, growth hormone
treatment for ensuing short stature also causes insulin resistance. Our objective is to
examine these processes. Insulin resistance has recently been linked to the accumulation of
stores of fat in muscle cells which can be measured by MRI. We hypothesize that children who
are short due to low birthweight have increased muscle fat stores, but that growth hormone
treatment will paradoxically reverse this association. To test this hypothesis, muscle fat
stores will be measured in children who are short due to low birthweight before and after
receiving growth hormone therapy. Other parameters linked to insulin resistance (glucose
tolerance, blood markers, and body composition) will also be assessed. This study may lead to
ways to increase growth hormone safety and dose limitations.