In a small study of short children with low growth hormone, a continuous skin infusion of a GHRH peptide (the same kind of molecule as sermorelin) boosted their GH levels, especially at a higher dose (40 µg/kg/day). However, the boost got smaller after three weeks, hinting that the body may adapt to the constant exposure. The findings suggest that intermittent dosing or longer‑acting versions might work better.

Six short children with low 24-hour growth hormone (GH) secretion were treated with continuous subcutaneous infusion of GHRH (1-29)NH2 for 3 weeks using a portable infusion pump. Restoration of pulsatile GH secretion was observed in all three children treated with 40 micrograms/kg/day of GHRH, but in only one of the three children treated with 20 micrograms/kg/day. All parameters of 24-hour GH secretion increased, but in five children the magnitude of the GH response was greater on day 1 than on day 21 of GHRH treatment. This decrease was not observed in the single child who responded to a low dose of GHRH (20 micrograms/kg/day); on the contrary, the response in this patient was greater after 21 days of GHRH treatment. Plasma levels of GHRH (1-29)NH2 were significantly higher on day 21 than on day 1 of treatment, suggesting altered pharmacokinetics over time. The effect of GHRH treatment on growth could not be determined because of the short duration of the study, but the data obtained on 24-hour GH secretion and GHRH metabolism suggest that a long-acting analogue of GHRH could be useful for the treatment of GH deficient or insufficient children.