Preventive Effect of Long-Term GH Therapy on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with GH Deficiency

GH has some influence on cardiovascular risk factors. The effects of long-term GH replacement therapy on hemostatic and lipid parameters were examined in pediatric patients with GH deficiency. Hemostatic markers (fibrinogen, D-dimer, TAT, tPA-PAI, and PIC) and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and Lp (a)) were evaluated in 30 pediatric patients before and during GH therapy. They were treated with recombinant GH (0.5 I.U. /kg/week) for 2.4±0.5 years. Eight patients had complete GH deficiency (aged 10.6±3.3 years; 5 males and 3 females), including 4 with craniopharyngioma (13.7±5.4 years; 2 males and 2 females), and 22 had partial GH deficiency (10.6±3.3 years; 11 males and 11 females). Statistical analysis was done with the Mann-Whitney nonparametric rank sum test. Plasma D-dimer (p