Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone on the Development of Burn Scarring

Anabolic agents, such as recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), have been used effectively to ameliorate the catabolic response to burn injury and to improve wound-healing. However, in experimental animal models, growth hormone has also been associated with increased renal scarring. The effect of rhGH on the development of human scarring is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of rhGH on the scarring of human skin after burn injury. A series of 94 patients was studied in a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients receiving 0.2 mg/kg/day subcutaneous rhGH during their acute hospital stays presented with the same quality and intensity of scarring as patients receiving a placebo. Similar reconstructive needs also resulted. The treatment of severely burned children with recombinant human growth hormone during the acute-phase hospital course did not increase scarring of the burn wound.