[Growth hormone therapy in pediatric hypercatabolic state: a systematic review and meta-analysis].

Background And Objectives: To assess the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in pediatric patients with hypercatabolic state in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Methods: We searched the databases of MedLine (1990 to 2005), LILACS (1990 to 2005), OVID (1990 to 2006) and EMBASE (1990 to 2005). Randomized controlled trials in pediatric patients using rhGH for hypercatabolic state (burns, sepsis) were selected.