Successful treatment of a morbidly obese and growth-retarded adolescent with Williams-Beuren syndrome by combining the medication of growth hormone and sibutramine

Bahadori B, Uitz E, Tonninger-Bahadori K, Moghadasian MH 
Correspondence: Dr Elisabeth Uitz,  elisabeth.uitz@lkh-muerzzuschlag.at; elisabeth.uitz@chello.at

ABSTRACT
A 16-year-old male adolescent diagnosed to have the Williams-Beuren syndrome was referred to our obesity outpatient clinic, due to his morbid obesity (body mass index 39.2 kilograms per square metre) and gluttony. After several unsuccessful dietary treatments, we started therapy with sibutramine. As growth hormone (GH) deficiency was diagnosed by an additional GH-stimulation test, we commenced with a GH-treatment. This well-tolerated combination therapy led to a remarkable weight loss of 10 kg and a growth-rate acceleration of 3.7 cm/year. Nine months after stopping the treatment with sibutramine, a partial weight gain was noticed. This case report justifies further research work on a combination therapy with sibutramine and GH for similar cases.

Keywords:growth hormone, growth retardation, Williams-Beuren syndrome, obesity, sibutramine
Singapore Med J 2008; 49:e15-6.