More about childhood-onset AGHD
In many people, adult growth hormone deficiency is the continuation of a disorder that began in infancy or childhood. This type of AGHD is referred to as childhood onset AGHD.
In some cases, the causes of GH deficiency in childhood cannot be determined; this type of disorder is referred to as idiopathic. Known causes may include:
- Developmental defects in or near the pituitary gland
- Genetic problems with the production of GH
- Damage to the pituitary gland or the surrounding area due to tumors, infection, radiation treatment, or severe head injury
Some children with GH deficiency may gain the ability to secrete GH with time and may not require GH therapy as adults. However, scientific evidence suggests that many adults who were GH-deficient as children and continue to be GH-deficient as adults may need to continue therapy into adulthood in order to have enough GH to meet metabolic demands as adults (although many factors can contribute to such conditions).
Signs and symptoms of childhood-onset AGHD may include:
- Increased body fat, especially around the abdomen
- Decreased muscle mass
- Lower bone mineral density
- Predisposition to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Reference
Lifshitz F, ed. Pediatric Endocrinology. 4th ed. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker Inc; 2003.
WHO IS NUTROPIN FOR?
Nutropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] and Nutropin AQ® [somatropin (rDNA origin) injection] are human growth hormone, available by prescription only.
Doctors prescribe Nutropin for children and teenagers with growth failure who:
- do not make enough growth hormone on their own
- have chronic renal insufficiency—a slow loss of kidney function—and have not had a transplant
- have Turner syndrome
- are not likely to grow to their potential adult height, as determined by a doctor, and whose bones are still able to grow
Doctors prescribe Nutropin for adults who:
- have growth hormone deficiency that started either in childhood or as an adult due to brain surgery, radiation therapy, trauma, or diseases of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.
Your doctor will test to see if growth hormone is right for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Nutropin and your safety:
Please read this important safety information carefully. Then, if you have any questions, talk with your doctor.
Nutropin is NOT for:
- children and teenagers whose bones have finished growing
- patients who have certain types of eye disease caused by diabetes
- patients who have active cancer or any brain tumors
- patients who are critically ill after open heart surgery or abdominal (stomach) surgery, are severely hurt, or have severe breathing problems
- children and teenagers who have Prader-Willi syndrome and are very overweight or have trouble breathing
If any of these apply, talk to your doctor before you start taking Nutropin.
If you are about to start taking Nutropin, or are already taking it, be sure to tell the doctor who prescribed it:
- about ALL of the medications you are taking, including supplements
- if you have or develop a brain tumor
- if you are given any new medication—especially cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, or betamethasone
- if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant
- about ANY other condition or illness you have or develop
What are the possible side effects of Nutropin?
You may experience discomfort, soreness, or redness where Nutropin is injected.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- ongoing injection site discomfort
- curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- joint pain
- puffy hands and/or feet (caused by fluid retention)
- changes in vision, a bad headache, or nausea with or without vomiting
- hip or knee pain
- a need to limp when you walk
- pain in wrist (carpel tunnel)
- allergic reaction
Be sure to inject Nutropin at a different recommended place on your body each time. Your doctor or nurse should supervise the first injection and provide training and instruction.
Your doctor is your primary source of information about your treatment.
Please see the full Prescribing Information, also available from your pharmacy.
