Barbara Y. Whitman

Growth hormone improves body composition, fat utilization, physical strength and agility, and growth in Prader-Willi syndrome: A controlled study

BACKGROUND Obesity and hypotonia in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are accompanied by abnormal body composition and diminished energy expenditure resembling a growth hormone deficient state. Hypothalamic dysfunction in PWS often includes decreased growth hormone (GH) secretion, suggesting a possible therapeutic role for exogenous GH treatment. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS After 6 months of observation to determine baseline growth rate, and with the use of a 12-month randomized controlled study design, the effects of GH treatment (1 mg/m2/d) on growth, body composition, strength and agility, pulmonary function, resting energy expenditure (REE), and fat utilization were assessed in 54 children with PWS (n = 35 treatment and n = 19 control). Percent body fat and bone mineral density were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Indirect calorimetry was used to determine REE and to calculate respiratory quotients. RESULTS Stimulated levels of GH in response to clonidine testing were low in all patients (peak, 2.0 ng/mL). After 12 months, GH-treated subjects showed significantly increased height velocity Z scores (mean, 1.0 1.7 to 4.6 2.9; P <.001), decreased percent body fat (mean, 46.3% 8.4% to 38.3% 10.7%; P <.001), and improved respiratory muscle function, physical strength, and agility (sit-ups, weight-lifts, running speed, and coordination). A significant decline in respiratory quotients occurred during GH therapy (0.81 to 0.77, P <.001), but total REE did not change. CONCLUSIONS GH treatment of children with PWS accelerated growth, decreased percent body fat, and increased fat oxidation but did not significantly increase total REE. Improvements in respiratory muscle strength, physical strength, and agility also occurred, suggesting that GH treatment may have value in reducing some physical disabilities experienced by children with PWS.

Management of Prader-Willi syndrome

Diagnosis and Genetics.- Clinical Findings and Natural History of Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Diagnostic Criteria for Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Molecular Genetic Findings in Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Laboratory Testing for Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Medical Physiology and Treatment.- Medical Considerations in Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Gastrointestinal System, Obesity, and Body Composition.- Growth Hormone and Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Multidisciplinary Management.- Neurodevelopmental and Neuropsychological Aspects of Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Speech and Language Disorders Associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Motor and Developmental Interventions.- Educational Considerations for Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Tools for Psychological and Behavioral Management.- Educational and Social Issues for Adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Transition from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: The Special Case of Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Vocational Training for People with Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Residential Care for Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Inpatient Crisis Intervention for Persons with Prader-Willi Syndrome.- Social Work Interventions: Advocacy and Support for Families.- A National Approach to Crisis Intervention and Advocacy.- Advocacy Issues: School Discipline and Expulsion.- Advocacy Issues: Sexuality.

Two years of growth hormone therapy in young children with Prader-Willi syndrome: physical and neurodevelopmental benefits.

Infants with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) typically display failure to thrive and decreased muscle mass with excess body fat for age. Growth hormone (GH) therapy in children with PWS improves, but does not normalize, body composition and muscle strength and agility. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of earlier GH therapy on anthropometric measurements, body composition, and psychomotor development in affected PWS infants and toddlers. Twenty‐five subjects, ages 4–37 months, were randomized to 2 years of GH therapy (1 mg/m2/day) or 1 year of observation without GH treatment and then placed on GH (1.5 mg/m2·day) for 1 year only. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by standard methods: percent body fat, lean body mass, and total body bone mineral density by dual x‐ray absorptiometry; motor constructs of mobility and stability by the Toddler Infant Motor Evaluation; and cognitive and language function by the Capute Scales of Infant Language and Cognitive Development. GH‐treated PWS subjects demonstrated normalization of length/height standard deviation scores (SDS), faster head growth, increased lean body mass accrual, and decreased percent body fat (P < 0.005 for all parameters), as well as improved language (P = 0.05) and cognitive (P = 0.02) quotient Z‐scores compared with similarly aged untreated PWS subjects after 1 year into the study. PWS subjects treated before their first birthday spoke their first words at a mean age of 14.4 ± 2.8 months and walked independently at 23.3 ± 4.8 months. GH therapy was well‐tolerated; however, one PWS subject experienced scoliosis progression. As greater benefits were seen in our study with early treatment, prompt referral to a pediatric endocrinologist for consideration of GH therapy is recommended for PWS at an early age.

Growth Hormone Treatment of Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome and Growth Hormone Deficiency Improves Lean Body Mass, Fractional Body Fat, and Serum Triiodothyronine without Glucose Impairment: Results from the United States Multicenter Trial

CONTEXT GH replacement in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) children has well-defined benefits and risks and is used extensively worldwide. Its use in PWS adults has been limited by documentation of benefits and risks, as determined by larger multisite studies. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of GH in GH-deficient genotype-positive PWS adults. DESIGN We conducted a 12-month open-label multicenter trial with 6-month dose-optimization and 6-month stable treatment periods. SETTING The study was conducted at outpatient treatment facilities at four U.S. academic medical centers. PATIENTS Lean and obese PWS adults with diverse cognitive skills, behavioral traits, and living arrangements were recruited from clinical populations. INTERVENTION Human recombinant GH (Genotropin) was initiated at 0.2 mg/d with monthly 0.2-mg increments to a maximum 1.0 mg/d, as tolerated. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Lean body mass and percent fat were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS Lean body mass increased from 42.65 +/- 2.25 (se) to 45.47 +/- 2.31 kg (P < or = 0.0001), and percent fat decreased from 42.84 +/- 1.12 to 39.95 +/- 1.34% (P = 0.025) at a median final dose of 0.6 mg/d in 30 study subjects who completed 6-12 months of GH. Mean fasting glucose of 85.3 +/- 3.4 mg/dl, hemoglobin A1c of 5.5 +/- 0.2%, fasting insulin of 5.3 +/- 0.6 microU/ml, area under the curve for insulin of 60.4 +/- 7.5 microU/ml, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance of 1.1 +/- 0.2 were normal at baseline in 38 study initiators, including five diabetics, and remained in normal range. Total T(3) increased 26.7% from 127.0 +/- 7.8 to 150.5 +/- 7.8 ng/dl (P = 0.021) with normalization in all subjects, including six (20%) with baseline T(3) values at least 2 sd below the mean. Mildly progressive ankle edema was the most serious treatment-emergent adverse event (five patients). CONCLUSIONS This multicenter study demonstrates that GH improves body composition, normalizes T(3), and is well tolerated without glucose impairment in PWS genotype adults.

Toe Walking and Language Development

Neurodevelopmental markers that are present early in childhood may identify children at risk for later developmental disabilities. This paper attempts to clarify the relationship between one such proposed marker, toe walking, and language development in a general pediatric population. One hundred sixty-three children being seen for well-child visits were included in the study. Information from each childs caretaker was obtained for language development and a history of toe walking; observation of toe walking during the visit was also included. The frequency of toe walking was 24%. Language quotients were calculated and compared for toe walkers (n=39) and non-toe walkers (n=127). The mean language quotient for toe walkers tended to be consistently lower than that for non-toe walkers. The specificity of toe walking for low language scores was 85% but had a sensitivity of only 32%. Although an association between toe walking and language delay is supported by the present data, the association does not appear to be clinically significant.

A comprehensive team approach to the management of patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by extreme obesity accompanied by other, multisystem clinical manifestations encompassing both physical and behavioral/cognitive abnormalities. The multi-dimensional problems of patients with PWS cannot be treated with a single intervention and benefit from a team approach to management to optimize outcomes. Childhood stature below target height and reduced final height are some defining characteristics of PWS, and compelling evidence from growth hormone (GH) treatment trials suggests that hypothalamic GH deficiency exists. Treatment with GH has been shown to increase height velocity in children with PWS, decrease weight-for-height index values and body fat mass, and have a positive effect on lean body mass during at least the first year of therapy. In addition to medical concerns, the behavioral manifestations, including an uncorrectable deficit in appetite control, and cognitive limitations associated with PWS, require long-term multidisciplinary management.

Sustained benefits of growth hormone on body composition, fat utilization, physical strength and agility, and growth in Prader-Willi syndrome are dose-dependent.

Abstract Background: Obesity and hypotonia in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are accompanied by abnormal body composition resembling a growth hormone (GH) deficient state. Hypothalamic dysfunction in PWS includes decreased GH secretion, suggesting a possible therapeutic role for GH treatment. While recent studies have demonstrated short-term benefits of treatment with GH, a critical question is whether beneficial changes persist or wane with prolonged therapy, and whether these effects on body composition are dose-dependent as seen in adult GH deficiency. Objectives and Methods: After 24 months of GH theapy at a dose of 1 mg/m2/day (“standard dose”), the effects of 12 additional months of GH treatment at varying doses (0.3-1.5 mg/m2/day) on growth, body composition, strength and agility, pulmonary function, resting energy expenditure (REE), and fat utilization were assessed in 46 children with PWS. Percent body fat, lean muscle mass, and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Indirect calorimetry was used to determine REE and to calculate respiratory quotient (RQ). Results: During months 24-36 of GH therapy, further changes in body composition (decrease in fat mass, and increase in lean body mass), growth velocity, and REE occurred with standard and higher-dose GH therapy (1.5 mg/m2/day), but not with lower dose GH (0.3 mg/m2/day). Prior improvements in BMD, and strength and agility, which occurred during the initial 24 months, were sustained during the additional 12 months (to 36 months) regardless of dose. Conclusions: Salutary and sustained . GH- induced changes in growth, body composition, and physical function in children with PWS require GH doses of >0.3 mg/m2/day. Conversely, BMD increased during the additional 12 months of therapy regardless of GH dose. Lower doses of GH, effective in improving body composition in adults with GHD, do not appear to be effective in children with PWS.

Autism and Plumbism A Possible Association

Six cases of inner city black children with both infantile autism and lead poisoning are reviewed. In three cases, developmental deviance seems to have been present before the possible impact of lead toxicity. In two cases the lead poisoning may have contributed to the onset or acceleration of developmental symptomatology. In one case the temporal sequence remains unclear. Possible patterns of interaction and the implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Prader-Willi syndrome: A primer for clinicians

The advent of sensitive genetic testing modalities for the diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome has helped to define not only the phenotypic features of the syndrome associated with the various genotypes but also to anticipate clinical and psychological problems that occur at each stage during the life span. With advances in hormone replacement therapy, particularly growth hormone children born in circumstances where therapy is available are expected to have an improved quality of life as compared to those born prior to growth hormone.This manuscript was prepared as a primer for clinicians-to serve as a resource for those of you who care for children and adults with Prader-Willi syndrome on a daily basis in your practices. Appropriate and anticipatory interventions can make a difference.

Growth hormone improves body composition and Motor development in Infants with Prader-Willi syndrome after six months

BACKGROUND Infants with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) show abnormalities of body composition. Children with PWS treated with growth hormone (GH) demonstrate improved body composition and motor skills. OBJECTIVE To assess body composition and motor changes in infants with PWS following 6 months GH therapy. METHODS Twenty-five infants with PWS (mean age 15.5 mo) underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) assessment of body composition, and motor assessment with the Toddler Infant Motor Evaluation (TIME). Patients were then randomized to treatment (Genotropin, 1 mg/m2/day) or control, with reassessment at 6 months. RESULTS GH treatment significantly increased lean body mass (6.4 +/- 2.4 kg to 8.9 +/- 2.7 kg) and decreased body fat (27.6 +/- 9.9% to 22.4 +/- 10.3%). Age equivalent motor scores improved 4 months in the treated group vs 2 months in controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Infants with PWS show significant body composition and motor development improvement following 6 months GH therapy. We are investigating whether this improvement leads to long-term reductions in obesity.