Pfizer-GC Green Cross Proves Early Growth Hormone Treatment Benefits: Korean Medical Breakthrough Shows 6-Year-Old Start Beats 7+ Years

Revolutionary Clinical Evidence: Why Starting Growth Hormone Treatment Before Age 6 Changes Everything

Did you know that just one year can make a dramatic difference in a child's growth potential? Korean medical researchers have just unveiled groundbreaking evidence that could transform how we approach pediatric growth disorders. The recent Genotropin Blossom Symposium, held by Pfizer Korea and GC Green Cross on June 28-29, 2025, at DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, presented compelling clinical data showing that children who start growth hormone treatment before age 6 achieve significantly better outcomes than those who begin after age 7.

This isn't just another medical conference – it's a paradigm shift that could affect thousands of Korean families dealing with short stature concerns. The symposium brought together leading pediatric endocrinologists to discuss the latest clinical data on various short stature conditions, considerations for pediatric-to-adult transition in growth hormone therapy, and the physical and psychological burdens experienced by patients and their families.

The timing couldn't be more crucial. As Korean society becomes increasingly aware of growth-related issues, parents are seeking evidence-based solutions for their children's height concerns. The symposium's findings provide exactly that – solid scientific backing for early intervention strategies that could make the difference between a child reaching their full growth potential or falling short of it.

The Science Behind Early Intervention: Korean Multi-Center Study Results

Professor Chae Hyun-wook from Gangnam Severance Hospital's Department of Pediatrics presented the most significant finding of the symposium: results from a multi-center clinical study of Genotropin conducted across 12 major Korean hospitals focusing on children with idiopathic short stature. The research compared treatment outcomes between children who started therapy before age 6 versus those who began after age 7.

The results were striking. Children who started treatment before age 6 showed a significantly higher probability of reaching the target Standard Deviation Score (SDS) of -1SDS from the beginning of treatment through 2-3 years post-initiation compared to the later-start group. This finding emphasizes the critical importance of early treatment in pediatric idiopathic short stature, suggesting that there's a narrow window of optimal intervention.

But the evidence doesn't stop there. Professor Yang A-ram from Kangbuk Samsung Hospital presented clinical research on growth hormone treatment effectiveness and safety in children with Small for Gestational Age (SGA) short stature and chronic kidney failure patients. Her research demonstrated that Genotropin's effectiveness and safety profile extend beyond typical growth hormone deficiency cases, making it a viable treatment option for these complex patient populations.

These findings align with global research trends showing that growth hormone treatment is most effective when initiated early, before growth plates begin to close and while the child's growth potential remains maximally responsive to intervention.

Understanding SGA and Chronic Kidney Disease: Expanding Treatment Horizons

Small for Gestational Age (SGA) represents one of the most challenging aspects of pediatric growth disorders. Children born SGA – meaning they were smaller than expected for their gestational age – often struggle with catch-up growth and may remain short throughout their lives without intervention. The Korean clinical data presented at the symposium showed promising results for these patients when treated with Genotropin.

European research on SGA growth hormone treatment effectiveness revealed that among 47 children who reached adult height, those who started treatment at an average age of 5.95 years with initial heights of -3.5 SDS (girls) and -3.48 SDS (boys) achieved final adult heights of 154.7 cm for girls and 167.6 cm for boys. This represented significant height gains of +0.9 SDS for girls and +1.6 SDS for boys, demonstrating the substantial impact of growth hormone therapy in this population.

Similarly, chronic kidney disease patients face unique growth challenges due to their underlying condition. The symposium's presentation of safety and effectiveness data for these patients provides hope for families dealing with this complex medical situation. Japanese multi-center observational studies have shown that SGA children treated with growth hormone can achieve height improvements of +2.88 SDS over the treatment period, with established safety profiles.

Korean domestic research through the LG Growth Study (LGS) involving 152 SGA short stature children showed treatment starting at -2.51 SDS improved to -1.13 ± 0.76 SDS after three years, representing an average treatment change of +1.28 SDS height gain. These consistent results across different populations underscore the universal applicability of early growth hormone intervention.

The Critical Transition: From Pediatric to Adult Care

One of the symposium's most important sessions focused on the often-overlooked transition period from pediatric to adult growth hormone therapy. Professor Kevin C. J. Yuen from the Barrow Neurological Institute Pituitary Center presented the latest perspectives on treatment transition for patients with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency.

Professor Yuen emphasized that the transition period from childhood to adulthood is generally the most vulnerable time when adolescent morbidity increases, making smooth transition of growth hormone therapy crucial for these pediatric patients. He particularly stressed that for patients with confirmed persistent growth hormone deficiency (GHD) during the transition period after achieving final height, resuming growth hormone replacement therapy can increase bone density and skeletal mass while improving body composition indicators.

This transition period, defined as the time from reaching final adult height until achieving maximum bone density and muscle strength, typically spans 6-7 years from the late teens. During this critical phase, growth hormone function, including pituitary function, must be re-evaluated to determine whether to restart growth hormone treatment. The decision requires careful consideration of the underlying disease, patient education, information provision, and psychosocial adaptation support.

The importance of this transition cannot be overstated. Research shows that growth hormone treatment effects extend beyond growth promotion to include metabolic improvements and quality of life enhancement in adulthood. For patients with organic diseases causing childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency, continued treatment consideration is essential for complete somatic development.

Addressing Patient and Family Burden: The Human Side of Treatment

Professor Shim Young-seok from Ajou University Hospital addressed one of the most practical concerns facing families: the physical and psychological burden of long-term growth hormone treatment on both patients and their caregivers. His research explored ways to reduce these burdens and improve treatment adherence.

The daily injection regimen required for growth hormone therapy can be particularly challenging for families. Children typically need 6-7 subcutaneous injections per week, administered just before bedtime. This routine can create significant stress for both children and parents, potentially affecting treatment compliance and outcomes.

Professor Shim's research suggested that low-dose administration (0.8mL or less) could help reduce pain-related burden. This finding is particularly relevant given that injection site pain, along with swelling and rash, represents one of the most common side effects experienced by patients. Other potential side effects include headaches, joint pain, blood sugar increases, thyroid function decline, and possible worsening of scoliosis.

The psychological impact extends beyond physical discomfort. Families often struggle with the financial burden of treatment, which can cost over 1 million won per month. The long-term nature of treatment, typically lasting several years until growth plates close, requires sustained commitment from families already dealing with the emotional stress of their child's growth concerns.

However, the symposium emphasized that these challenges are manageable with proper support and education. Regular monitoring through height and weight measurements, along with blood tests checking blood sugar, thyroid hormones, insulin levels, and growth factors, helps ensure treatment safety and effectiveness.

Global Evidence and Korean Innovation: The KIGS Database Legacy

The symposium highlighted the robust evidence base supporting Genotropin's use through the Pfizer International Growth Database (KIGS), which has collected data from over 83,000 pediatric patients across 52 countries from 1987 to 2012. This massive dataset represents one of the most comprehensive long-term safety and effectiveness profiles available for any growth hormone treatment.

The KIGS database revealed that pediatric short stature patients treated with Genotropin showed median treatment duration of 2.7 years and observation period of 3.1 years, with serious adverse events occurring in only 3.7% of cases and mortality rate of 0.4%. Treatment effectiveness was demonstrated across various conditions: first-year height SDS increases showed median values of 0.66 for idiopathic growth hormone deficiency, 0.55 for idiopathic short stature, 0.58 for Turner syndrome, and 0.71 for SGA patients.

This real-world evidence, collected from actual clinical practice rather than controlled trials, provides invaluable insights into how Genotropin performs in diverse patient populations and healthcare settings. The data supports the use of growth hormone therapy across multiple indications including growth hormone secretion disorders, SGA, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and chronic kidney failure.

Korean healthcare providers can draw confidence from this extensive global experience while contributing their own valuable data to the international understanding of growth hormone therapy. The symposium's presentation of Korean multi-center study results adds to this global knowledge base, demonstrating that Korean patients respond similarly to international populations while potentially offering unique insights into Asian patient characteristics.

Future Directions and Clinical Implications for Korean Healthcare

The symposium's findings have significant implications for Korean pediatric endocrinology practice and healthcare policy. Park Jin-young, Head of GC Green Cross SC Division, emphasized that the symposium represented a meaningful opportunity to share evidence-based treatment strategies and discuss patient-centered approaches. The focus on evidence-based treatment becomes increasingly important in Korea's healthcare environment, where clinical decision-making must balance effectiveness, safety, and cost considerations.

The early intervention message resonates particularly strongly in Korean society, where educational and developmental advantages are highly valued. Parents who understand that starting treatment before age 6 can significantly improve outcomes may be more likely to seek early evaluation and intervention for their children's growth concerns. This could lead to better population-level outcomes and reduced long-term healthcare costs.

Looking ahead, the symposium's emphasis on transition care highlights an area where Korean healthcare can lead global best practices. Developing comprehensive transition protocols that ensure continuity of care from pediatric to adult services could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. The integration of patient support programs, like the KakaoTalk channel 'Growth Diary' launched by Pfizer Korea for Genotropin patients, demonstrates innovative approaches to improving treatment adherence and patient experience.

The symposium concluded with a commitment from both companies to continue supporting safe and effective treatment environments through Genotropin. As Korean healthcare continues to evolve, the evidence presented at this symposium will likely influence clinical guidelines, insurance coverage decisions, and treatment protocols for years to come. For Korean families dealing with short stature concerns, this research provides hope and clear direction: early intervention with evidence-based treatments can make a lasting difference in their children's lives.