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Skeletal Muscle Effects of GH in Boys

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (GH): Effects on Metabolic Profile, Body Composition and Skeletal Muscle Strength and Function in Pre-pubertal Short Boys With and Without GH Deficiency

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04020913
Enrollment
45
Registered
2019-07-16
Start date
2019-07-22
Completion date
2025-10-30
Last updated
2025-11-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Growth Hormone Deficiency, Idiopathic Short Stature

Keywords

GH, muscle strength, prepubertal, boys, short stature, GH treatment, muscle agility

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to measure the functional effects of recombinant GH in skeletal muscle, in addition to growth promotion, in short prepubertal boys with either growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature. Patients will be similarly short. The investigators will also compare these values in the short stature cohort to those obtained in testing performed in normally growing age-matched healthy control boys not on GH. The group on GH will be studied before and after 6 and 12 months of GH treatment.

Detailed description

Prepubertal boys with significant short stature (height SDS ≤-2.0) diagnosed with either GH deficiency or idiopathic short stature (ISS) who are identified as candidates for GH treatment will recruited. Subjects will have a battery of studies to assess skeletal muscle strength, agility, power and endurance, as well as assessment of body composition and energy expenditure before and after GH administration. GH (Somatropin) treatment at standard doses will be given as daily injections at bedtime. Subjects will be followed at three-month intervals per the clinical routine, when anthropometric measurements will be obtained. Baseline studies will be repeated at 6 and 12 months from initiation of treatment, each patient will serve as his own control pre and post GH. A group of normally statured healthy boys will have the same testing as the study patients but without GH treatment to assess the impact of natural growth on the muscle measures above.

Interventions

Boys with short stature will be studied for measures of: 1. skeletal muscle strength, power, and endurance 2. muscle agility 3. lean body mass accrual 4. bone mineral density and resting energy expenditure before and after 6 months and 12 months of GH administration

Sponsors

Novo Nordisk A/S
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Nemours Children's Clinic
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
6 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Short Stature Group 1. 30 boys between 6-11 years of age 2. Prepubertal 3. Short stature (height ≤ -2SDS) due to either GH deficiency or idiopathic 4. Stable treatment of other pituitary hormone deficiencies 5. Naïve to GH therapy, or GH discontinued at least 6 months prior to study Normal Stature Group 1. 15 boys between 6-11 years of age 2. Prepubertal 3. Normal height (10th to 90th%)

Exclusion criteria

1. Actively growing brain tumors 2. Chronic medical conditions that could affect study outcomes 3. Long-term steroid use 4. Intense regular physical training programs or organized team sports

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Skeletal muscle strength (Newtons)12 monthsUpper and lower body muscle strength will be assessed using a handheld dynamometer for manual muscle testing of peak force

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle agility (seconds)12 monthsMuscle agility will be assessed by a timed shuttle run
Muscle endurance12 monthsUpper body muscular endurance will be assessed using a modified push up test for repetitions
Skeletal muscle power (Watts)12 monthsLower extremity power will be assessed by vertical jump performed using a Power time mat
Bone mineral density12 monthsAssessed by DEXA scan of the lumbar spine and whole body
Resting energy expenditure12 monthsIndirect calorimetry will be performed after overnight fast
Lean body mass accrual12 monthsAssessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan of the whole body

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026