OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of different doses of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in the treatment of short stature in children born small for gestational age (SGA).

METHODSA total of 37 children with short stature born SGA were enrolled, and based on the dose of rhGH treatment, they were divided into low-dose rhGH group (0.1-0.15 IU/kg daily) and high-dose rhGH group (0.16-0.2 IU/kg daily). The changes in height standard deviation score (ΔHtSDS), height velocity (HV), serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and fasting blood glucose at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after treatment were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSΔHtSDS and HV both increased after the treatment with high- and low-dose rhGH, but ΔHtSDS and HV in the high-dose rhGH group were significantly higher than in the low-dose rhGH group 9, 12 and 24 months after treatment (P<0.05). Both high- and low-dose rhGH treatment increased serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were positively correlated with HtSDS in both groups. One child each in the high- and low-dose rhGH groups experienced transient slight increase in fasting blood glucose (6.1 mmol/L). There were no cases of abnormal thyroid function.

CONCLUSIONSrhGH has good efficacy in the treatment of short stature in children born SGA, with few adverse events, and high-dose rhGH has some advantages over low-dose rhGH.

Body Height ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; blood ; drug therapy ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics and treatment of acute myelitis in children. Methods Clinical data and prognosis of two cases of pediatric acute myelitis with positive serum monosialoganglioside (GM1) antibodies were analyzed, and related literatures were reviewed. Results Two cases had clinical symptoms and MRI change of myelitis with positive serum GM1-IgM antibody and thyroid antibody. Two cases had positive serum Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody and one case has positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM antibody.After treated with high doses of glucocorticoid and gamma-globulin, two cases were discharged as symptoms improved. After discharged, treatment with oral prednisone and rehabilitation were continued. One case recovered completely while another could stand alone by supporting after 3 months follow-up. Conclusion Immunologic injury played an important role in pathogenesis of acute pediatric myelitis with serum positive GM1 antibodies, which had better treatment outcome and prognosis. This type of myelitis may have intestinal Helicobacter pylori infection.