ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Pediatric Endocrinology
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1617579
Adherence to Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Therapy in Children: Influencing Factors and Clinical Implications
Provisionally accepted
- 1The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- 2Suzhou Women and Children Health Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- 3The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Women and Children Health Hospital, Suzhou, China
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Background: Adherence to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes in children with growth disorders. However, non-adherence remains a significant challenge, affecting treatment efficacy and patient prognosis. This study evaluates adherence rates to rhGH therapy in pediatric patients, identifies key influencing factors, and explores strategies to improve adherence.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 8,621 pediatric patients receiving rhGH therapy in China. Adherence was assessed by the proportion of prescribed doses taken, with good adherence defined as ≥86%. Factors influencing adherence were analyzed using logistic regression models, considering variables such as age, GH formulation type, treatment duration, and regional differences.The overall mean adherence rate was 92%, with long-acting GH formulations associated with significantly higher adherence than daily GH injections (94% vs. 91%, p < 0.001). Older children (12-18 years) exhibited better adherence than younger age groups. Patients with severe growth deficits (≤P3 percentile) showed higher adherence than those with moderate deficits. Longer treatment duration was linked to decreased adherence. Regional differences were observed, with patients from Northern Jiangsu demonstrating better adherence than those from Southern Jiangsu.Adherence to rhGH therapy is influenced by multiple factors, including GH formulation, age, severity of growth deficit, treatment duration, and regional disparities. Long-acting GH formulations significantly improve adherence. Tailored interventions, such as parental education, digital adherence monitoring, and personalized support programs, are essential to sustain long-term adherence and optimize treatment outcomes.
Keywords: Recombinant human growth hormone, adherence, Influencing factors, pediatric patients, Growth Disorders
Received: 29 Apr 2025; Accepted: 30 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Chang, Jin, Zhou, Kan and Dai. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Yuee Dai, Suzhou Women and Children Health Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.