Details of HTA project
Last updated: 31 August 2010 - Next update due: 7 September 2010
Research type: |
NICE Technology Assessment Report (TAR) |
Project title: |
Recombinant human growth hormone for the treatment of growth disorders in children: a systematic review and economic evaluation |
Link to NICE guidance page |
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Project ref: |
08/51/01 |
Cost: |
This project has been commissioned by the HTA programme on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on a call-off contract basis. |
Chief Investigator : |
Southampton Health Technology Assessment Centre (SHTAC), University of Southampton |
Start Date: |
September 2008 |
Estimated date of publication in HTA journal series: |
September 2010. This project is at the editorial review stage. Delays in the review process can cause the forecast publication date to be delayed. |
Plain English Summary |
One of the factors essential for a child's growth is production of an adequate level of natural growth hormone by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Human growth hormone (HGH), also called somatropin, is licensed to treat children who have restricted growth due to a range of medical conditions. Children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) do not produce enough of this hormone naturally, so injections of a synthetic form can help to increase their growth rates. Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are characteristically of short stature and have altered body composition. They may also be growth hormone deficient, so treatment with growth hormone can be used to replace natural levels of the hormone for these patients. Treatment with HGH is primarily used to improve body composition and metabolism in children with PWS. Short stature is also a common feature in children with other conditions such as Turner syndrome (TS); chronic renal insufficiency (CRI); children born small for gestational age (SGA) or with short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency. Children with these conditions may have reduced sensitivity to normal levels of GH, so supplementary injections of synthetic growth hormone may help to increase their growth rates. This review will systematically summarise the results of clinical trials which evaluate the use of human growth hormone for the treatment of children with GHD, TS, CRI (prepubertal children only), PWS, and those born SGA or with growth failure associated with SHOX deficiency confirmed by DNA analysis. The report will include a systematic review of cost effectiveness studies and an economic evaluation, to give an indication of the cost-effectiveness of HGH for the NHS in England and Wales. |
Project Abstract: |
Recombinant human growth hormone (somatropin) is currently recommended by NICE1 for children with a proven clinical diagnosis of GHD, TS or PWS and for pre-pubertal children with CRI. Since the last review, somatropin has received marketing authorisation for the treatment of children born SGA and for children with growth failure associated with SHOX deficiency. The review will update and extend the existing systematic review2 with any new evidence for the use of growth hormone for children with GHD, TS, PWS or CRI. In addition, evidence for the use of human growth hormone for children born small for gestational age, or with SHOX deficiency (conditions not considered in the original review) will be included in this report. The HTA programme commissioned ths technology assessment report on behalf on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. |
Project Protocol: |
Project protocol not available |
URL of this page: |
http://www.hta.ac.uk/1755 |
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