Critical illness is accompanied by a loss of body protein which can result in loss of immunocompetence, poor wound healing, muscle weakness and even mortality. Growth hormone administration increases protein synthesis and induces production of increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-l, thereby also decreasing protein breakdown. Growth hormone administration to postoperative patients and to patients with burns and sepsis has shown that an anabolic state can be achieved. Preservation of muscle mass has also been documented. In paediatric burns patients, administration of growth hormone decreased length of stay in hospital.
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