Short-term cyproheptadine therapy in underweight children: effects on growth and serum insulin-like growth factor-I

Cyproheptadine, an appetite stimulant, has been used in poor-appetite underweight children. Its beneficial effects on enhancing growth rate have been demonstrated. In contrast, an adverse effect on blunting growth hormone (GH) secretion has also been reported. To date, however, its effect on insulin...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM Vol. 22; no. 5; p. 425
Main Authors:	Mahachoklertwattana, Pat, Wanasuwankul, Santhira, Poomthavorn, Preamrudee, Choubtum, Lulin, Sriphrapradang, Arporn
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Germany 01-05-2009
Subjects:	Appetite Stimulants - therapeutic use Body Weight - drug effects Child Child, Preschool Cyproheptadine - therapeutic use Double-Blind Method Energy Intake - drug effects Female Human Growth Hormone - blood Human Growth Hormone - drug effects Humans Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - analysis Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - drug effects Male Statistics, Nonparametric Thinness - drug therapy Treatment Outcome
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Cyproheptadine, an appetite stimulant, has been used in poor-appetite underweight children. Its beneficial effects on enhancing growth rate have been demonstrated. In contrast, an adverse effect on blunting growth hormone (GH) secretion has also been reported. To date, however, its effect on insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I), a GH-mediated growth factor, has not been documented. To examine the effect of cyproheptadine therapy on growth and serum IGF-I in underweight children. Twenty-one underweight, otherwise healthy children were recruited. They were randomly assigned into cyproheptadine administration (n = 10) and placebo (n = 11) groups. The former received cyproheptadine for 4 months. Serum IGF-I levels were measured in both groups. Weight and height velocities and IGF-I z-scores during cyproheptadine therapy were significantly greater in the intervention group than those of the placebo group. Cyproheptadine therapy in underweight children increased caloric intake and serum IGF-I concentration and consequently enhanced growth velocity.
ISSN:	0334-018X
DOI:	10.1515/JPEM.2009.22.5.425