What Is Growth Hormone Deficiency

Growth Hormone Deficiency

One of the hormones that has the most significant impact on growth is growth hormone, with the other being thyroid hormone. Growth hormone is secreted from the pituitary gland located in the brain. Levels of growth hormone show fluctuations throughout the day, being most prominent during sleep, especially at night. Sleep, exercise, physical stress, adolescence, fasting, and a decrease in blood sugar stimulate the secretion of growth hormone.

Growth Hormone Treatment at Liv Hospital

The primary biological effect of growth hormone is to increase height growth. It enhances bone thickness, soft tissue (muscle) growth, protein production, release of fatty acids from fat tissue, insulin resistance, and blood sugar levels. The growth-promoting effects of growth hormone occur through insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is primarily produced in the liver and growth plates at the ends of long bones. Growth hormone and nutritional status determine the circulating level of IGF-1; in cases of growth hormone deficiency and nutritional insufficiency, IGF-1 levels decrease, leading to slowed growth.

The most crucial and often the sole symptom of growth hormone deficiency is growth retardation and short stature in children. In severe cases, dwarfism can occur, where the body structure is proportionally small. In congenital growth hormone deficiencies, growth can be impaired from infancy. Despite aging, the body remains small, the face retains a babyish appearance, the forehead is prominent, and facial bones, nose, and chin are small. Teeth may erupt late, and hands and feet are small. Bone development lags, and puberty is delayed. Intelligence is usually normal.

At Liv Hospital, growth hormone treatment is conducted comprehensively under the guidance of experienced professionals.

How is Growth Hormone Treatment Performed?

Preparations containing growth hormone are available, typically in injectable form. These medications are administered subcutaneously in appropriate doses every night before bedtime. Families receive specific training for this process, and they administer the injections at home. Growth hormone injections can be easily applied at home. Treatment for children with growth hormone deficiency continues until the growth plates close.

Providing growth hormone to a child with growth hormone deficiency is a replacement therapy. In other words, there is a deficiency, and this is rectified by externally administering the hormone. From this perspective, it is not a significantly risky procedure. The child’s growth and IGF-1 hormone levels are closely monitored, and dose adjustments are made to avoid the adverse effects of inadequate or excessive treatment.

However, there might be some side effects associated with medication usage. These can include pain, swelling, edema at the injection site, headaches due to increased intracranial pressure, and sleep disturbances. These side effects are rare and may necessitate a short break from the medication. Typically, resuming the treatment poses no issues. High-dose use of the medication may lead to insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels, but these are transient problems and can be corrected with appropriate dose adjustments.