TY - JOUR
T1 - Policy for transitioning childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency from pediatric to adult endocrine care in Belgium
AU - Staels, Willem
AU - De Schepper, Jean
AU - Becker, Marianne
AU - Lysy, Philippe
AU - Klink, Daniel
AU - Logghe, Karl
AU - den Brinker, Marieken
AU - Rochtus, Anne
AU - Lapauw, Bruno
AU - Cools, Martine
AU - Alexopoulou, Orsalia
AU - Bex, Marie
AU - Corvilain, Bernard
AU - Crenier, Laurent
AU - De Block, Christophe
AU - Donckier, Julian
AU - Hilbrands, Robert
AU - Ponchon, Michel
AU - T'Sjoen, Guy
AU - Van Den Bruel, Annick
AU - Vandewalle, Sara
AU - Velkeniers, Brigitte
N1 - Funding Information:
The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. WS holds an FWO senior clinical investigator grant (1806421N).
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Staels, De Schepper, Becker, Lysy, Klink, Logghe, den Brinker, Rochtus, Lapauw, Cools, Alexopoulou, Bex, Corvilain, Crenier, De Block, Donckier, Hilbrands, Ponchon, T'Sjoen, Van Den Bruel, Vandewalle and Velkeniers.
PY - 2024/9/30
Y1 - 2024/9/30
N2 - Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents can vary in severity and origin, with GH replacement therapy proving effective in achieving genetic target height. Optimal outcomes are seen in those treated early and with higher doses. As patients approach adult height, priorities shift towards optimizing metabolic effects, maintaining body composition, and enhancing bone mass and muscle strength. Transitioning from pediatric to adult care presents challenges, including accurately identifying candidates for continued GH therapy, reevaluating persistent GHD, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Assessing readiness for transition and self-management skills is crucial. This Policy and Practice Review provides a comprehensive overview of current policies, regulations, and guidelines pertinent to managing GHD transition in Belgium. We integrate perspectives from national academic and nonacademic clinical stakeholders in pediatric and adult endocrine care to provide an updated policy framework. This framework underscores the importance of sustained GH therapy during transition, particularly for individuals with persistent GHD, with the goal of optimizing practices and improving outcomes during this critical period.
AB - Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents can vary in severity and origin, with GH replacement therapy proving effective in achieving genetic target height. Optimal outcomes are seen in those treated early and with higher doses. As patients approach adult height, priorities shift towards optimizing metabolic effects, maintaining body composition, and enhancing bone mass and muscle strength. Transitioning from pediatric to adult care presents challenges, including accurately identifying candidates for continued GH therapy, reevaluating persistent GHD, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Assessing readiness for transition and self-management skills is crucial. This Policy and Practice Review provides a comprehensive overview of current policies, regulations, and guidelines pertinent to managing GHD transition in Belgium. We integrate perspectives from national academic and nonacademic clinical stakeholders in pediatric and adult endocrine care to provide an updated policy framework. This framework underscores the importance of sustained GH therapy during transition, particularly for individuals with persistent GHD, with the goal of optimizing practices and improving outcomes during this critical period.
KW - Humans
KW - Human Growth Hormone/deficiency
KW - Transition to Adult Care
KW - Belgium/epidemiology
KW - Child
KW - Adult
KW - Adolescent
KW - Growth Disorders/drug therapy
KW - Hormone Replacement Therapy/methods
KW - Health Policy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85206615109&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fendo.2024.1459998
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2024.1459998
M3 - Scientific review
C2 - 39415786
VL - 15
JO - Frontiers in Endocrinology
JF - Frontiers in Endocrinology
SN - 1664-2392
M1 - 1459998
ER -