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.
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