Growth Hormone Deficiency Among Children

Children are susceptible to growth hormone deficiency than any other hormonal deficiency. Of course, they are also victims of hormonal imbalances. Albeit, deficiency in growth hormones is a bigger cause for concern as it affects not only the physical but socio and psychological well being of the child suffering from the aforementioned deficiency.

Different medical terms used are: Recombinant human GH (rhGH), Pituitary Dwarfism, Congenital Growth Hormone, Panhypopituitarism, Acquired Growth Hormone Deficiency & Somatropin.

Causes

• Growth Hormone Deficiency is caused due to the less production of the human growth hormone (HGH) released by the pituitary gland. Typically the various hormones present in the brain indicate the level of growth hormone required, which when released enters the blood. The hormones then incite the liver to produce and release the hormone IGF – 1 i.e. insulin like growth factor that is very important for a child’s normal growth.
• Any anomaly in the production of growth hormone results in the child not registering normal growth patterns on the chart. These anomalies could be either congenital – from birth or due to a brain injury, trauma, tumor, and infections or any other diseases. Children with cleft lift or cleft palate are generally considered to be suffering from declining or deficient growth hormones.

Symptoms

• A qualified medical practitioner can determine whether a child has growth hormone deficiency or not. Parents who suspect that their child is not indicating a normal growth pattern, which is an increase of height by 2 inches per year, can seek a medical opinion. Generally, the symptoms become obvious by the age of 3. After this, if the child experiences a delay in growth, he/she might be possibly deficient in growth hormones.
• Children with deficient growth hormones are smaller in stature and usually look younger than their peer group. Their faces and waist have an increased amount of fat. They, nevertheless, have normal body proportions.
• Growth Hormone Deficiency can be triggered even during a later stage of childhood. This might delay the onset of puberty.

Treatments

• Early intervention is considered the best for treating growth hormone deficiencies as the child has a better chance of acquiring normal stature by adulthood.
• The treatments are holistic in nature as the psychological well being i.e. the self esteem of the child is considered along with medications. Societal norms are generally in favor of children with good height, and any child whose growth is stunted is sometimes ill treated by his/her peer group and even grownups (sad but true).
• The treatment ensues with taking family, peer group, teachers and care givers into confidence to boost the child’s self worth/esteem. The medical practitioner prescribes a growth hormone in injectible form. These injections can be administered at home either once a day, many times during a week or even once/twice a month, depending upon the level of deficiency and other factors.
• Side effects such as fluid retention and muscular/joint pains have been reported during the course of the treatment.
• If the deficiency in growth hormones is due to a tumor, then surgery or radiation is recommended by the medical practitioner.

Is Growth Hormone Deficiency Preventable?

It is not possible to prevent growth hormone deficiency. However, an early diagnosis can help prevent the symptoms from aggravating. Hence, evaluation of the deficiency is recommended at the earliest by most pediatricians or pediatric endocrinologist.