For the first time in Israel: drug treatment for dwarf children doubled the growth rate - voila! health

The growth rate increased by 50 percent.

Shahar Vitus (Photo: Ichilov Hospital)

It all sounds like something impossible, but at the Ichilov Hospital they managed to do the impossible. 11-year-old Shahar Vitus, who has the most common syndrome of dwarfism (achondroplasia), is the first child in Israel who started receiving an innovative drug 9.5 months ago.

In the first five months of treatment, Shahar's annual growth rate increased by 50 percent, from 3.3 cm per year to 5 cm per year.

During the same year, Shahar had to undergo orthopedic surgery to repair the axis of his legs, which slightly changed the length of his legs, so it is not possible to calculate the rate of growth in the last four months.

Another child who began receiving the drug treatment here in Ichilov seven months ago - managed to increase the annual growth rate from 2.7 cm per year to 5.7 cm per year - this is an impressive achievement of the treatment with an increase of more than 100 percent in the annual growth rate.

Shahar's syndrome was diagnosed when he was only a three-month-old baby.

Ortal, Shahar's mother shares: "Even though all the pregnancy tests were normal, when we were informed that our beautiful baby was suffering from the syndrome, it was immediately clear to us that we would do everything so that Shahar could grow into a place where he could feel like an equal."

Shahar also suffered from bending in his legs and had to undergo a complex operation to straighten his legs and suffered from excessive flexibility in his body joints, phenomena that are typical for those suffering from this syndrome.

In recent years, Shahar has been treated by Dr. Leonid Zeitlin, a specialist in bone diseases and director of the Achondroplasia Center who leads the innovative and ground-breaking treatment at the "Dana-Doak" hospital here in Ichilov. "This is the first time in the world that patients are offered a drug to treat dwarfism.

In the USA, this drug has been a success and there are many testimonies of children who have succeeded in getting taller thanks to it"

Shahar Vitus (Photo: Ichilov Hospital)

Shahar Vitos and Dr. Leonid Zeitlin (Photo: Ichilov Hospital)

Recently, approval was received from the FDF and EMA for the innovative drug treatment in VOSORITIDE, which has been scientifically proven to significantly improve the growth of children with achondroplasia.

The treatment with the drug is financed at this stage by the insurance companies, these days the drug is in the process of being submitted to the health basket in Israel under the indication of achondroplasia in children.

The drug is approved for use from the age of two until the age of closure of the growth plates (17 years in boys and 15 years in girls).

The drug is given by daily subcutaneous injection by parents at home.

According to the studies, an accelerated growth rate was maintained throughout the treatment period with VOSOTITIDE.

"So far, 2 children with achondroplasia have already started innovative treatment here at Ichilov. We, like other researchers in the world, believe that if the drug is given early enough in life, it will have a positive effect on other manifestations of the syndrome, such as preventing spinal problems and reducing airway obstruction Superiority is a great hope for our patients," emphasizes Dr. Zeitlin.

"The road ahead is still long and the treatment that Shahar will have to take will accompany him every day until he reaches the age of 16 and at the latest 18, but like any parent who wants the best for him, I know that as long as there is the possibility to help him grow taller and make his life easier, we will do it for him," Ortel promises. Shahar's mother.

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