Thousands of children born small for gestational age (SGA) who fail to catch up to average size by age 2 can now benefit from a new growth hormone treatment at UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital.

SGA is defined as a pre-term, term, or post-term newborn who is below the third percentile for gestational age body weight or length. In the United States each year, approximately one in 40 babies is born SGA. While some may naturally catch up in size, about 10 percent fail to attain normal height.

“If left untreated, these children who do not catch up remain small in size compared to their peers and face possible socialization difficulties. They are also at risk for weight gain, diabetes and/or hypertension,� said Dr. Pinchas Cohen, professor and chief of endocrinology at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA. “In the past, parents were told that nothing could be done to help these children.�

The Federal Drug Administration has approved the use of a recombinant growth hormone for SGA children who have not caught up in size. Most children begin the daily injections of hormone therapy between ages 2 and 10 years. Treatment generally takes several years and concludes when the child reaches appropriate size. The growth hormone therapy is covered by insurance.

Cohen said his Growth Center is seeing substantial results with this treatment. He also commented that because this therapy is relatively new, many community pediatricians and families might not be aware that it’s available. In fact, he said that once parents learn about the growth hormone treatment, they are delighted to know that something can be done to help their kids.

For more information on the growth hormone for the treatment of SGA, parents should call either 1-800-UCLA MD1 or (310) 825-6244.

UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital is dedicated to the research, education and treatment of childhood diseases. The hospital’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art treatment for children in a compassionate, family-oriented environment, as well as to conduct research to improve the understanding and treatment of pediatric diseases.