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Growth Hormone and Oxandrolone in Burned Children

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Bone Drugs in Pediatrics

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Abstract

Children with large burns exhibit a hypermetabolic state, often resulting in bone loss and growth velocity impairment. The hypothesis that anabolic drugs may counteract bone loss is based on observations made from using these drugs in conditions of short stature such as Turner’s syndrome. Two anabolic agents that have been used successfully in these settings are exogenous human growth hormone and oxandrolone, a testosterone analogue. In this chapter, we review the literature that demonstrates that the administration of these two drugs in burned children is both safe and efficacious in improving post-burn bone health outcomes. The systemic action of these anabolic agents beyond the bone metabolic system has also been explored in the clinical trials described. However, only bone-related markers are discussed in detail in this chapter.

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Acknowledgements

N. Mabvuure wishes to acknowledge Restore—Burn and Wound Research charity (UK) for funding his research fellowship at the SHC-G. Additionally, L. Sousse would like to acknowledge the National Institutes of Health Fellowship T32-GM8256.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Audrey Emerton Building, Eastern Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN25BE, UK

    Nigel Tapiwa Mabvuure M.B.B.S., B.Sc.

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3EB, UK

    Alexis N. Thomas M.R.C.S., M.B.Ch.B., B.Sc.

  3. Department of Surgery, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 815 Market Street, Galveston, TX, 77550-1220, USA

    Linda E. Sousse Ph.D., M.B.A.

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  1. Nigel Tapiwa Mabvuure M.B.B.S., B.Sc.
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  2. Alexis N. Thomas M.R.C.S., M.B.Ch.B., B.Sc.
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  3. Linda E. Sousse Ph.D., M.B.A.
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Correspondence to Nigel Tapiwa Mabvuure M.B.B.S., B.Sc. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

    Gordon L. Klein

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Mabvuure, N.T., Thomas, A.N., Sousse, L.E. (2014). Growth Hormone and Oxandrolone in Burned Children. In: Klein, G. (eds) Bone Drugs in Pediatrics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7436-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7436-5_9

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