Clinical use of the long acting somatostatin analogue octreotide in pediatrics

• Published in: European journal of pediatrics Vol. 153; no. 5; pp. 304 - 310
• Main Authors: TAUBER, M. T, HARRIS, A. G, ROCHICCIOLI, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-05-1994; Berlin
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Body Height - drug effects; Child; Child, Preschool; Delayed-Action Preparations; Female; Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic - drug therapy; Growth Disorders - drug therapy; Hormones. Endocrine system; Humans; Hyperinsulinism - drug therapy; Hypoglycemia - drug therapy; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Octreotide - administration & dosage; Octreotide - adverse effects; Octreotide - therapeutic use; Pancreatic Diseases - drug therapy; Pancreatic Fistula - drug therapy; Pancreatitis - drug therapy; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Vipoma - drug therapy; Endocrinopathy; Human; Hyperinsulinemia; Agonist; Gigantism; Indication; Peptide hormone; Neuropeptide; Analog; Pituitary diseases; Digestive diseases; Somatostatin; Child
• ISSN: 0340-6199; 1432-1076
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01956407

Preliminary data of the use of the long-acting somatostatin analog octreotide (Sandostatin) in pediatrics are reported. In nesidioblastosis and other hyperinsulinemic conditions, timely treatment with octreotide can protect cerebral function and may reduce mortality. The acute use of octreotide produces prompt elevation of blood glucose, even in patients who fail to respond to diazoxide. In addition, it may be possible to avoid the need for partial or subtotal pancreatectomy by the long-term use of octreotide. As in adults, octreotide should find a place in the symptomatic treatment of secretory diarrhea, notably the watery diarrhea hypokalemia-achlorhydria complex and pancreatic cholera syndrome. Octreotide has been shown to be effective in the treatment of familial tall stature by reducing height velocity and final height. Responses to octreotide therapy vary and the individual responsiveness must be extensively studied.