Treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children
Treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children
Contents
1 Deficiency of growth hormone in children
2 Treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children
2.1 Compensate for growth hormone deficiency
2.1.1 Taking treatment
2.1.2 Follow-up of treatment use
2.1.3 To stop using the treatment
2.1.4 The risks and side effects of treatment
2.2 Other treatments
3 References
Growth hormone deficiency in children
Growth Hormone Deficiency in children is a rare condition that leads to growth failure.
It is represented by the child’s body not producing enough growth hormone for normal growth,
Where growth hormone is one of the hormones of the pituitary
gland located at the base of the brain behind the nose,
The body needs growth hormone to stimulate the growth of bone and other tissues.
Treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children
It should be noted that the health care provider takes the child’s age,
Your overall health and other factors to take into account when treating,
Where the child needs to see a pediatric endocrinologist,
He is additionally trained to treat children with hormonal problems,
It also has the best tools for checking a child’s growth from month to month accurately.
Compensate for growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency disorder is treated once the child has been diagnosed.
It should be noted that the treatment of growth deficiency
disorder includes regular injection of human growth hormone.
Some children receive daily injections while
others receive injections several times a week.
Although treatment usually lasts for several years, results
can usually be seen 3-4 months after starting treatment.
It is worth noting that the dose is gradually increased until it reaches its maximum during adulthood.
Somatropin is used to treat growth hormone deficiency, and fortunately the affected children respond very well to it.
The child’s chance of achieving a relatively adult height increases,
so the earlier the treatment for growth hormone deficiency begins.
However, not all children show a good response to treatment.
The effectiveness of treatment may differ for children with other health conditions.
Treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children
It should be noted that treatment should be started and the child monitored by a pediatrician who is an expert in growth hormone disorders, that is, a pediatric endocrinologist.
In fact, HGH injections are only useful if treatment is started before bone growth stops.
In the context of talking about treatment of growth hormone deficiency, it should be noted that the success of treatment to replace growth hormone deficiency
It depends on the level of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1, short for IGF-1, whose production is stimulated by growth hormone.
It also plays an important role in childhood development.
Therefore, if the insulin-like growth factor-1 level is normal, then the child will not benefit from growth hormone deficiency treatment,
But if its level is low, then treatment is done through
Adjusting the level of growth hormone, which in turn raises the insulin-like growth factor-1 to the normal range, and the results of the treatment are usually noticed within 6-18 months,
It is worth noting that deficiencies in the other pituitary gland must be addressed in order for treatment to compensate for the deficiency of growth hormone to be effective.
In the event that there is a deficiency in other hormones, this deficiency is compensated in addition to compensating for the deficiency in growth hormone.
Take treatment
It should be noted that there is no oral treatment to replace the growth hormone deficiency.
As the treatment requires daily injections,
Where growth hormone is given by injection under the skin.
That is, it enters the fatty tissue that is found under the surface of the skin,
Growth hormone is in the form of an injection device that looks like a pen and has a very small needle that is injected superficially into the skin, so it does not hurt much,
It is worth noting that the treatment should be taken in the evening, as it is advised to take it regularly during an hour before bed,
In addition, the dose can be changed by advancing it or delaying it a few hours.
But it should not be taken before five in the evening,
If you forget to take a dose, you should wait for the next dose.
Where it is worth trying not to forget the dose more than once a month in order to get the best results,
Also, the injection must be done in 4 different places out of the 8 places where the injection can be done, as follows:
- Back of the arms
- Above or outside the thighs
- Sides of the abdomen
- And a quarter of the outer buttocks
- It is best to switch between them every time.
Treatment risks and side effects
When starting to use growth hormone deficiency treatment, people may experience many side effects
Which quickly improves after adjusting the therapeutic dose to an appropriate dose,
These symptoms are the feeling of pain in the muscles or joints,
In addition to slight swelling caused by fluid retention,
There are also other rare side effects that can be explained as follows:
1- An allergic reaction represented by swelling of the needle sting site, and the appearance of a rash or hives, and this requires a visit to the endocrinologist.
2- Feeling pain in the hip, knee, or joints.
3- Headache; An endocrinologist should be consulted immediately if the headache is persistent or severe.
4- Increased curvature of the spine in people with Scoliosis.
5- Temporary rise in blood sugar levels;
As the rise stops as soon as a treatment for growth hormone deficiency stops,
It is worth noting that diabetics need to carefully monitor their blood sugar level.
Because growth hormone affects the level of insulin in the blood.
Other treatments The following are other treatments used in cases of growth hormone deficiency:
- Surgery or radiation:
- Targeted treatments
- Physical therapy (natural)
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech therapy
- Speech therapy
- Lifestyle adjustments
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics, images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as a final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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