4 Questions That Help In Learning About Growth Hormone Deficiency
Pituitary gland sited at the bottom of the brain is responsible for producing the growth hormone. The gland is instructed by other hormones in the brain to produce sufficient growth hormones to ensure healthy and normal development of the body. As the growth hormone stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1 that is a key hormone n the child’s growth. But at times hormonal imbalances lead to growth hormone deficiency. Here are four questions and relevant answers to help you gather all the relevant information about this deficiency:
1. What is exactly the growth hormone deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency is related to the abnormal functioning of the pituitary gland that is responsible for the production of the growth hormones and many other important hormones. The growth is slower of the body when the pituitary gland fails to produce enough number of the growth hormones. Growth hormones are responsible for the normal development and growth in the children. This growth hormone deficiency might develop at any age in children and adults.
In normal cases a child grows about two inches every year. But if a child suffers from the GHD then the growth is less than two inches every year. A study shows that the symptoms of the growth delay starts almost after two to three years of age in children.
2. What are the causes of growth hormone deficiency in children?
- Congenital: This deficiency may be present right from the birth.
- Acquired: This deficiency may also be acquired which might be the resultant of infections, trauma, brain tumor or radiations.
3. What are the symptoms of the growth hormone deficiency?
A child who suffers from growth hormone deficiency may show the following symptoms:
- Short height for her or his age.
- Excessive fat around the face and waist
- Child is often emotionally upset about the weight or height
- Child looks younger than other of his age
- Delay in tooth development
- Delay in puberty
4. What is the most effective treatment for the growth hormone deficiency?
Replacement therapy of human growth hormone is the most trusted and common treatment of growth hormone deficiency. Somatropin is injected underneath the skin in the fats. These shots are to be given daily. The other alternative is Nutropin Depot which is can be given to the children once or twice a month as per the need of the body.