eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: Genetics and Metabolic Disease > Genetics

Silver-Russell Syndrome: Treatment & Medication

Author: Robert J Ferry Jr, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center at Memphis, and St Jude Children's Research Hospital; Field Surgeon (Medical Corps), 162nd Area Support Medical Company, Army National Guard
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 1, 2009

Treatment

Medical Care

  • Growth
    • Significant effort must be undertaken to optimize caloric intake.
    • Growth hormone therapy should be considered in a child with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) who has not manifested adequate catch-up growth by age 2 years. Growth hormone was approved in the United States in 2001 by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in children born small for gestational age who have not yet manifested adequate catch-up growth by age 2 years. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is given via daily subcutaneous injections. Recommended dose is 0.48 mg/kg/wk.
  • Development
    • An early intervention program, including physical therapy, is beneficial.
    • Special education courses are needed when the child is older.

Surgical Care

  • Consider enteral feeding if the patient does not tolerate oral feeding and has severe failure to thrive. Nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeds are needed to facilitate growth and maintenance.

Consultations

  • Consult a clinical geneticist to differentiate Silver-Russell syndrome from etiologies of growth retardation, asymmetry, and other clinical findings.
  • Consult a gastroenterologist or nutritionist to optimize caloric intake and enhance growth and feeding therapy.
  • Developmental evaluation places the patient in early intervention, special education programs, physical therapy, and occupational therapy as early as possible.
  • Consult a pediatric endocrinologist to consider the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in an infant nearing age 2 years who has not manifested adequate catch-up growth.

Diet

  • Patients should have a nutritional evaluation to provide optimal calories for growth. As stated previously, nasogastric or PEG feeding may be required.

Medication

  • Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been shown to substantially improve linear growth in patients with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS); however, additional long-term studies and continued efforts to optimize dosing regimens are required before benefits on final adult height can be fully assessed.

More on Silver-Russell Syndrome

Overview: Silver-Russell Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Silver-Russell Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Silver-Russell Syndrome
Follow-up: Silver-Russell Syndrome
Multimedia: Silver-Russell Syndrome
References
Further Reading
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References

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  44. Wollmann HA, Kirchner T, Enders H, et al. Growth and symptoms in Silver-Russell syndrome: review on the basis of 386 patients. Eur J Pediatr. Dec 1995;154(12):958-68. [Medline].

  45. Yoshihashi H, Maeyama K, Kosaki R, et al. Imprinting of human GRB10 and its mutations in two patients with Russell-Silver syndrome. Am J Hum Genet. Aug 2000;67(2):476-82. [Medline]. [Full Text].

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Further Reading

  • A recent study compared fetal and neonatal growth curves in detecting growth restriction. 5

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Keywords

Silver-Russell syndrome, SRS, Russell-Silver syndrome, Silver-Russell dwarfism, Silver syndrome, growth retardation, intrauterine growth retardation, facial dysmorphism, learning disability, camptodactyly, clinodactyly, fasting hypoglycemia, triangular facies, low birthweight, developmental delay, poor head control, language impairment, craniopharyngioma, testicular seminoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, Wilms tumor, hypospadias, assisted reproduction technologies, treatment, diagnosis

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert J Ferry Jr, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center at Memphis, and St Jude Children's Research Hospital; Field Surgeon (Medical Corps), 162nd Area Support Medical Company, Army National Guard
Robert J Ferry Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Texas Pediatric Society
Disclosure: Nutropin Speakers Bureau Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Genotropin Speakers Bureau Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Eli Lilly & Co. Grant/research funds Independent contractor; MacroGenics, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Ipsen, S.A. (formerly Tercica, Inc.) Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Medical Editor

Elaine H Zackai, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor of Pediatrics in Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Clinical Genetics Center, University of Pennsylvania; Senior Physician and Director of Clinical Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Elaine H Zackai, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Medical Genetics, and American Society of Human Genetics
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Robert Anthony Saul, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Carolina; Senior Clinical Geneticist, Greenwood Genetic Center
Robert Anthony Saul, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Medical Genetics, and American College of Physician Executives
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine
Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Pathology and Microbiology, Executive Director, Hattie B Munroe Center for Human Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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