The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has undertaken a review of recombinant human growth hormone (somatropin) after a French study determined that some kids who take it because they are abnormally short may be at a small increased risk of death.

The FDA does not recommend that patients stop taking recombinant human growth hormone before talking to their physicians, as it believes the benefit of the hormone still outweighs its potential risks. However, the FDA is now reviewing all available information on this potential risk and plans to issue new recommendations, if necessary, once the review is completed.