How can you recognize growth problems?
Although most children who are very short or very tall are healthy and normal, some children have diseases or conditions that affect their growth. A child's growth rate is a more important clue to the presence of a growth problem than is his or her size. For this reason, regular, accurate measurements plotted on a pediatric growth chart are very important: A change in the child's growth rate may provide the first hint of an underlying problem. Specifically, a slowing of growth, especially to less than 2 inches (5 cm) per year could be a sign of pediatric growth hormone deficiency or chronic illness.
If you have concerns, discuss them with your child's healthcare provider. Our Doctor Discussion Guide can help. Also, the following questions can serve as guidelines for parents who are worried about their children's growth. While not necessarily indicating a problem, a "Yes" answer to any of these questions* signals a need to discuss the question with your child's healthcare provider.
- Is my child the shortest or tallest in the class?
- Is my child still wearing last year's clothes or outgrowing clothes much faster than usual?
- Is my child unable to keep up with other children of the same age in play?
- Is my child growing less than 2 inches or more than 3 inches a year?
- Is my child complaining about his or her size?
- Is my child showing signs of early sexual development (before age 7 in girls and before age 9 in boys)?
- Has my 13-year-old girl or 15-year-old boy failed to show any signs of sexual development?
*This list is based in part on Human Growth Foundation (HGF) guidelines.
For more information on these guidelines contact:
Human Growth Foundation
997 Glen Cove Avenue
Glen Head, New York 11545
or call toll-free: (800) 451-6434
One of the most important things parents can do to protect a child's health and growth is to have their child examined regularly by a pediatrician or another qualified healthcare provider. The examination should include accurate measurements (without shoes) plotted on a pediatric growth chart.
Researchers have found that girls are less likely than boys to be referred for evaluation of growth problems, perhaps because short stature is less of a social concern for girls. Poor growth can be a symptom of a serious medical condition, so any child whose height is below the 5th percentile line on the pediatric growth chart or who moves away from a previously normal growth curve should be checked by a healthcare provider.
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.
