Can growth hormone make short boys stronger?

NCT ID NCT04020913

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study looked at whether growth hormone therapy can improve muscle strength, power, and body composition in short prepubertal boys, both those with growth hormone deficiency and those with idiopathic short stature. Thirty short boys received growth hormone injections for 12 months, and their results were compared to 15 normally growing boys not on the hormone. The goal was to see if growth hormone does more than just increase height.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Somatropin (recombinant growth hormone, Norditropin)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that growth hormone therapy improves not just height but also muscle strength and function in short boys.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study with only 45 participants, so results may not apply to all short boys. Growth hormone therapy also carries risks like joint pain and fluid retention.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Dwarfism isolated congenital growth hormone deficiency isolated short stature pituitary dwarfism

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Nemours Children's Clinic

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32207, United States