Growth hormone therapy helps childhood stem cell transplant survivors grow taller, but responses vary widely

Growth impairment is a common late effect of childhood stem cell transplantation. A Japan-wide study found that growth hormone therapy improves adult height, but prior radiation therapy and transplant-related complications negatively affect how much children benefit.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is a treatment for some life-threatening cancers and nonmalignant disorders. As HCT is a curative treatment, it is used to treat children where necessary. It has historically been a dangerous procedure, but advances in medicine have…