Fatal Cases Of CJD Linked To Human Growth Hormone

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Fatal Cases Of CJD Linked To Human Growth Hormone

Further cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob (CJD) disease could arise as a result of

human growth hormone treatment even after low doses, suggests research in the

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

A rare and usually fatal disease of the brain characterized by progressive

dementia and gradual loss of muscle control, CJD occurs most often in middle

age.

Dutch researchers report on the case of a man who developed CJD 38 years after

receiving human derived growth hormone.

A 47 year old man was given only a low dose as part of a diagnostic procedure,

rather than being given full treatment, which may explain why the incubation

period lasted so long -- the longest on record -- say the authors.

He had delayed growth as a child, for which he underwent testing using a form of

human derived growth hormone to exclude growth hormone deficiency when he was 9.

The source of the hormone used is not known, but it is highly unlikely that this

man would have developed CJD by chance, say the authors.

His symptoms began with numbness in both arms, which progressed to difficulty in

walking and involuntary movements. After eight months, he was admitted to

hospital and died five months later. CJD was confirmed at post mortem

examination.

The first Dutch patient with CJD associated with human growth hormone died in

1990, but she had been treated with deep muscle injections over several years on

various occasions.

There are 564 other registered recipients of the hormone in the Netherlands who

were treated before 1985, none of whom are currently suspected of having CJD.

But the authors conclude: " . . .This case indicates that still more patients

with iatrogenic CJD can be expected in the coming years, " adding, " another

implication of our study is that CJD can develop even after a low dose of human

growth hormone. "

(Reference: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 38 years after diagnostic use of human

growth hormone, E A Croes, G Roks, G H Jansen, P C G Nijssen, C M van Duijn,

2002; 72: 792-3)

(Editor's Note: Full text of this Short Report is available at this URL.)

 

 

[Contact: British Medical Association]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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