Lack Of Growth Hormone In Children
Growth hormone deficiency or GHD is a relatively rare condition in childhood.
It is caused by a low production of this hormone in the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the skull. It can also be caused by a brain injury, the presence of a tumor in this area of the brain or exposure to radiation.
There are also other diseases that can lead to growth hormone deficiency in children. It is not a hereditary disease.
Growth hormone deficiency can also be linked to other endocrine disorders, such as gonadotropin, thyrotropin or vasopressin deficiency. These hormones regulate other important biological processes.
Regular medical check-ups are the best way to detect growth hormone deficiency at an early stage, and thus begin appropriate treatment.
Parents and guardians should be aware of the warning signs of this deficiency. An early diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.
Possible signs of growth hormone deficiency in children
The most obvious sign of growth hormone deficiency is a low altitude.
Children with GHD tend to be lower than other children of the same age. Slow growth affects the shape of the face and limbs, leading to a small and powerful body type.
People with growth hormone deficiency generally have poor muscle tone and the size of the penis may be smaller in men.
Low levels of glucose in the blood can have an effect on delaying the onset of puberty.
Another thing to be aware of is the child’s self-esteem. Feeling physically different from friends and classmates can make children feel extremely vulnerable.
Diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in children
As part of regular medical check-ups, the pediatrician will monitor the child’s growth according to a growth schedule. This kind of analysis will help detect if there should be any issues with the amount of growth hormone.
One of the first tests that a doctor performs to confirm the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency will be an x-ray. This can determine the patient’s bone age and how fast the bones grow.
Another test that your doctor will often perform is a blood test, to check the level of IGF, or insulin-like growth factor 1.
One way in which it is possible to detect this condition is by provoking the body to produce growth hormone, by administering substances that stimulate the pituitary gland.
Your child’s doctor will then analyze your child’s body’s response to hormone therapy.
Other analyzes include tests that determine the body’s production of gonsphotropin-triggering hormone (GnRH).
Clinical treatment of growth hormone deficiency
When growth problems are caused by a lack of hormones, it can be treated with medication. In particular, a synthetic version of the hormone can be administered via a subcutaneous injection.
The medical specialist will determine the dose, frequency and type of hormone therapy. In some cases, treatment will have to continue into adulthood.
Children with GHD tend to grow less than 5 inches a year. With proper treatment, however, they can grow up to 25 inches in the same period.
Although side effects can occur, they are generally mild to moderate, while the side effects of hormone therapy are more dramatic.
Some of the side effects include:
- Growth of breast tissue in men
- Scoliosis
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Inflammation of the upper and lower limbs
- Headache
- Less hypothyroidism
More serious side effects are much more rare. These include headaches with radiating symptoms, inflammation of the pancreas and problems with the hip bones.
The best way to get good results with hormone therapy is by an early diagnosis.
When doctors can catch and treat this condition early in life, children with growth hormone deficiency will often be able to reach a normal height once they have grown up.
