Sleep apnea in patients receiving growth hormone

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1997 Jun;36(6):321-6. doi: 10.1177/000992289703600602.

Abstract

Among 145 patients treated with recombinant human growth hormone (GH), four developed sleep apnea (two obstructive, two mixed) associated with tonsillar and adenoidal hypertrophy in three. These four patients had no local risk factors predisposing to upper airway obstruction (i.e., frequent pharyngitis or sinusitis). Clinical and/or polysomnographic features of sleep apnea improved following cessation of GH therapy in one patient, and following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in all patients. The present observations indicate that, albeit rarely, obstructive and/or central sleep apnea may occur in children treated with GH. Polysomnography should be considered if symptoms of snoring, interrupted sleep, daytime somnolence-particularly if associated with tonsillar hypertrophy-appear in children during GH therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoidectomy
  • Adenoids / pathology
  • Human Growth Hormone / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / chemically induced
  • Hypertrophy / surgery
  • Palatine Tonsil / pathology
  • Polysomnography
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / chemically induced*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Tonsillectomy

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone