Prevention of Growth Retardation by Early Treatment With Growth Hormone (GH) in Children With CJA Treated by Corticosteroid Therapy

Prevention of Retarded Growth by Early Treatment With Recombinant Human Growth Factor Genotonorm (Registered) in Children With Systemic Forms of Chronic Juvenile Arthritis Receiving Long-term Corticosteroid Therapy. Extension of the Study Beyond Three Years

• To evaluate the effect of increasing the growth hormone dose on the statural response
• To assess the value of early treatment during the course of arthritic disease by comparing the height acquired in the medium term by children in the two groups: treated from the start, or 1 year to 15 months after the diagnosis of CJA, or treated for 4 years after the diagnosis

This trial terminated on 10-Jun-2011 due to prolonged issues with drug accountability and data collection discrepancies. The decision to terminate was not based on any safety concerns.

Inclusion Criteria:

• This study will be proposed to all patients previously included in study CTN 97-8129-016

Exclusion Criteria:

• Discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy for more than a year during study CTN 97-8129-016
• Patients withdrawing from the study prematurely