Growth after bone marrow transplantation in children

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1991 Fall;13(3):263-8. doi: 10.1097/00043426-199123000-00003.

Abstract

Growth of the patients with hematological malignancies, aplastic anemia, Fanconi's anemia, and Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome who had been treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was studied. Fourteen out of 21 patients showed suppression of linear growth after BMT. Recovery of the growth velocity after 1-2 years tended to occur if BMT was performed at younger age. Six of eight patients with chronic graft-versus-host-disease (CGVHD) had impaired growth after BMT, whereas eight of 13 (61%) without CGVHD did. Provocative tests for growth hormone (GH) performed 5-72 months after BMT revealed three boys who showed poor response to more than two different stimuli. Two of these three boys had prolonged suppression of growth. Neither the age at BMT, difference in disease, nor presence of posttransplant growth retardation gave significant difference in the response of GH to provocative tests. It was concluded that approximately two-thirds of marrow-grafted children experienced transient decrease in growth velocity after BMT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Anemia, Aplastic / surgery
  • Body Height
  • Bone Marrow Purging / adverse effects*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects
  • Fanconi Anemia / surgery
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Growth Disorders / etiology*
  • Growth Hormone / deficiency
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Leukemia / surgery
  • Male
  • Whole-Body Irradiation / adverse effects
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / surgery

Substances

  • Growth Hormone