Frequently asked questions about pediatric growth hormone deficiency
What is growth hormone?
Growth hormone (often referred to as hGH, or simply GH) is a protein that, among other things, tells a child's body to grow. It is produced by the pituitary gland (an organ about the size of a pea, located at the base of the brain) and is released into the bloodstream.What does growth hormone do?
As its name suggests, growth hormone is the chief hormone responsible for growth. It stimulates the development of muscles and bones, and also helps regulate metabolism. Growth hormone travels to the cartilage, then causes the cartilage to grow and turn into bone. It is also involved in the production of muscle protein and in the breakdown of fats.In adults, as well as in children, growth hormone is essential to the maintenance of healthy body composition and metabolism. Throughout adulthood, growth hormone plays an important role in maintaining an improved ratio of body fat to lean mass, "bad" to "good" cholesterol levels, and proper bone mineral density.
What is pediatric growth hormone deficiency?
Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD) occurs when the production of growth hormone is disrupted during infancy or childhood. Essentially, it occurs when the pituitary gland of an infant or a child fails to produce growth hormone, or secretes inadequate amounts of the hormone.How is pediatric growth hormone deficiency diagnosed?
Pediatric growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed through special blood tests that detect growth hormone in the blood.What are the effects of pediatric growth hormone deficiency?
The decreased levels of growth hormone associated with pediatric growth hormone deficiency may result in abnormalities of many body processes—including growth and development, production of muscle protein, and breakdown of fats.Is pediatric growth hormone deficiency very common? What causes it?
Although pediatric growth hormone deficiency is uncommon, it may occur at any time during infancy or childhood, and there are many possible causes. Some involve damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls the pituitary.What are the signs of pediatric growth hormone deficiency?
A major sign of pediatric growth hormone deficiency is a marked slowing of growth, usually to less than 2 inches (5 cm) a year. Many children with growth hormone deficiency have normal body proportions and normal intelligence, although some may be overweight for their height or have problems with low blood sugar.What treatments are available for pediatric growth hormone deficiency?
Pediatric growth hormone deficiency is treated by giving the patient injections of growth hormone until he or she reaches his or her adult genetic potential height or until the growing ends of the bones fuse.
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.
