Deficiency of the Growth Hormone in Children

The growth hormone is an essential hormone produced in the pituitary gland and released to the body for various functions. The protein hormone is useful in the building of healthy muscles, normal brain function, an increase in bone density, and general healthy growth of children.

Causes

In some children, the pituitary gland or hypothalamus may be damaged through surgery, radiation, head injuries, or underlying pathological condition leading to too little or too much release of the hormone.

Children who have cleft palates or cleft lips will have a poorly developed pituitary gland making them susceptible to growth hormone deficiency. If the defect is not present at birth and occurs in the early developmental stages of the child, the most predisposing factor can be a brain tumor. The tumors are mostly located near or at the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus gland.

Children with abnormal production of the hormone will have various developmental defects such as:

• Anxiety and depression
• Fatigue
• Less muscle
• Reduced bone density
• Sensitivity to thermal changes
• Blood cholesterol changes
• Slow growth rate
• Delayed puberty
• Short statures
• Round faces
• Fat around the abdomen
• Sexual development defects
• low self-esteem
• Poor memory

Diagnosis

A health practitioner upon observing the above symptoms can suspect a deficiency or surplus of the growth hormone. The first approach is to take a medical history and investigate if the child has undergone any surgery that can be a predisposing factor to the damage of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.

If there is no history of surgery, the physician can do various tests for underlying pathological conditions in the pituitary such as tumors or lack of proper blood flow. In the test, the doctor can check the level of the growth hormone in the blood.

Treatment

Once a deficient of the growth has been confirmed, the doctor can decide the best method of approach. The first approach is the prescription of the human growth hormone daily and you can buy hgh Canada for your child. The synthetic protein hormone is injected into the child’s body for an average of four to eight weeks. After the end of the period, the doctor will conduct another review to investigate if the hormone is effective or addition is needed.

Another treatment regime is the treatment of the pathological condition that is leading to sufficient or surplus growth hormone. If the child has a tumor, the doctor will schedule a surgery that aims at safely removing the tumor. However, before the removal of the tumor, the patient can be taking growth hormones to supplement the levels of the hormone in the body.

Warnings

Synthetic growth hormones should not be taken by patients who are critically ill or those with cancers. Children who have diabetes should not take the hormone as it affects how the body makes use of insulin.

Bottom Line

If your child is not meeting the right weight and height milestones, you need to consult your doctor. The sooner you start the treatment for your child, the better the results. A high percentage of children respond well to treatment regimes.