Fermented oyster extract promotes height growth in children with mild short stature: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUNDS/OBJECTIVES Child growth is affected by genetics, nutrition, physical activity, and environmental factors. Despite the improvements in average height among Korean children due to better socioeconomic and nutritional status, safe and effective growth-promoting interventions are still needed for children with mild short stature. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of fermented oyster extract (FGO) supplementation in children aged 6 to 9 yrs with heights between the third and 25th percentiles for age and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, subjects received FGO (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) once daily (500 mg/day) for 24 weeks. This study evaluated the height growth, bone age (BA), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD) for the efficacy of FGO and sex hormones, including estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, for its safety. Finally, 66 children (33 each in the FGO and placebo group) completed the study. No significant baseline differences existed between the 2 groups. RESULTS After 24 weeks, the FGO group showed significant improvements in height, height SD score, and height velocity (all P < 0.001). BA and BA delay improved significantly in the FGO group (P = 0.024 and P = 0.035). The FGO group showed significantly greater changes in the IGF-1 and urine DPD levels (P = 0.010 and 0.001, respectively). The GH and IGFBP-3 concentrations increased in the FGO group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. No serious adverse events or increase in sex hormones were observed after FGO supplementation, assuring its safety. CONCLUSION FGO may be a safe and effective health supplement ingredient for height growth in children, irrespective of gender. Future studies will need to evaluate the long-term effects of FGO and its applicability across various populations.