What Is Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormone deficiency, as the name suggests, is the absence or shortage of the growth hormone that the pituitary gland produces for the body to use. Growth hormone deficiency may appear in infancy or later in childhood. If left untreated, children with growth hormone deficiency usually end up significantly shorter as adults than their peers.

What Causes Growth Hormone Deficiency?

Growth hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, which is connected to the hypothalamus at the base of the brain. Sometimes called the master gland of the endocrine system, the pituitary gland controls the functions of the other endocrine glands by secreting certain hormones, and it produces human growth hormone. Growth hormone deficiency can occur when the pituitary gland or hypothalamus is malformed or damaged. Damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus may result from abnormal formation of these organs before the child is born (congenital, or present at birth) or from damage that occurs during or after birth (acquired).

Researchers have also found that growth hormone deficiency can be part of a genetic syndrome. In some cases, however, the cause of growth hormone deficiency is unknown (idiopathic).

What Are the Symptoms of Growth Hormone Deficiency?

One of the main symptoms of growth hormone deficiency is noticeably slow growth (less than two centimeters per year), even though the body has normal proportions. A child with growth hormone deficiency may also show an immature face, meaning they look younger than their peers, and a chubby body build. It is also important to remember that growth hormone deficiency does not affect a child's intelligence and that every child experiences different symptoms. The symptoms of growth hormone deficiency may resemble other problems or medical conditions. A specialist evaluation is helpful for diagnosis.

How Is Growth Hormone Deficiency Diagnosed?

Before growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed, the examining doctor also needs to check for findings related to family history. In the treatments we provide at Can Hastanesi in İzmir, possible contributing factors such as inherited family height and signs of thyroid hormone deficiency are taken into account. After a complete medical history and physical examination, the diagnostic tests and procedures used for growth hormone deficiency should be followed.

Before growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed, the examining doctor also needs to check for findings related to family history.

How Is Growth Hormone Deficiency Treated?

Treatment of growth hormone deficiency may vary according to the findings obtained at diagnosis under a doctor's supervision. The factors considered when planning treatment may vary depending on your child's age, overall health and medical history. Treatment may also vary according to parameters such as how your child responds to medications and tolerates therapies.

Treatment of growth problems will vary depending on the type of growth disorder. If the growth problem is caused by a medical condition, treating that condition may ease the growth problem. The specific treatment plan will be carried out under a doctor's supervision.

Once the cause of the growth problem has been diagnosed, treatment of the disorder may include regular growth hormone injections. The frequency of injections will be determined by the treatment plan: some children may receive daily injections, while others may be treated with injections several times a week. Treatment usually lasts several years, and results can usually be seen three to four months after injections begin. The earlier growth hormone treatment is started, the better the child's chance of reaching a normal or near-normal adult height. Not every child responds to growth hormone treatment in the same way.

Is Growth Hormone Treatment Safe?

Put simply, growth hormone treatment replaces hormones that your child should have but is missing. Injection-site reactions such as pain and swelling may occur, although they are not common. Other possible effects include headache, joint pain, worsening of spinal curvature and elevated blood sugar. If these effects become severe, we recommend that you consult your doctor.

With our pediatric endocrinology clinic at Can Hastanesi, we are happy to look after your children's health.