OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in the postoperative treatment of hypospadias in children.

METHODSA total of 84 male children with hypospadias treated by surgery were randomly divided into a control and an rhGH group of equal number, the former treated with antibiotics plus hemostatics with usual wound care, while latter, in addition, by subcutaneous injection of rhGH at 0.2 U/kg/d qd before bedtime for 7 days. Then we compared the two groups in the clinical efficacy, urinary symptoms, peripheral WBC count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, contents of serum albumin and total protein, and levels of IgM, IgG and IgA in the serum.

RESULTSThe total effectiveness rates in the rhGH and control groups were 81.0% and 66.7%, respectively, significantly higher in the former than in the latter (P<0.05). The levels of WBC and CRP in the peripheral blood were increased after treatment, but with no significant difference. The contents of serum albumin and total protein were higher before than after surgery. The levels of IgM, IgG and IgA were markedly elevated in the rhGH group as compared with the control. The ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ was significantly increased while the level of CD8+ remarkably decreased after treatment in comparison with pre-treatment.

CONCLUSIONRhGH is effective and safe in the postoperative treatment of hypospadias in children, and its action mechanisms are associated with its promotion of protein synthesis, improvement of negative nitrogen balance and enhancement of immune function.