Many cases of endocrine disorders--disorders that involve hormones--in children involve low levels of growth hormone. Letting extended periods of time pass without rectifying this condition may cause abnormally short stature later in life. Treating such a deficiency with synthetic or recombinant growth hormone often improves the physical and mental health of such kids.
Growth Hormone Deficiency
Some cases of growth hormone deficiency have no known cause. Such cases are referred to as idiopathic. Children with this idiopathic deficiency appear shorter in height and lower in weight than healthy kids. A 2010 study presented in the "Chinese Journal of Pediatrics" tested recombinant growth hormone in preteen children with idiopathic deficiency. After a year of treatment, hormone intake increased several growth parameters, including height. Growth hormone use also increased levels of insulin-like growth factor, a protein which plays an important role in normal development.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Infants with kidney disease often exhibit stunted development. Reduced growth hormone levels may play a role in this association. A 2009 investigation published in "Pediatric Nephrology" evaluated the effects of growth hormone administration on chronic renal patients. During two years of treatment, kids receiving recombinant growth hormone obtained a similar weight and height as control subjects. Drug intake also increased levels of parathyroid hormone, a substance which regulates calcium levels. Increasing the amount of circulating calcium prevents a lethal condition known as hypocalcemia.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome typically display poor development, including retarded growth and low muscle tone. Such kids often have cognitive and behavioral problems, as well as abnormal weight gain. Although not definitively linked to this syndrome, growth hormone levels remain low during the development of Prader-Willi patients. A 2010 study in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" looked at the effects of growth hormone intake in this disorder. Six years of treatment, beginning before age two, enhanced motor control and reduced body fat. Growth hormone intake also increased overall height and decreased "bad" cholesterol.
Turner Syndrome
Girls with Turner syndrome don't have the normal pair of X chromosomes present in most females. This genetic disorder causes growth abnormalities such as swollen limbs and a webbed neck. Decreased circulating levels of growth hormone may contribute to this condition. A 2005 experiment described in the periodical "Hormone Research" evaluated the impact of giving growth hormone to such children. Following seven years of use, drug intake normalized the height of girls with Turner syndrome. These physical changes, however, did not prevent the psychosocial consequences of the disorder: the girls often experienced lower self-esteem and had more body issues than a control group, though growth hormone treatment did prevent the feelings of depression commonly found in Turner syndrome.
References
- "Klinische Padiatrie"; Prevalence and Incidence of Endocrine Disorders in Children: Results of a Survey in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria (EndoPrIn BB) 2000-2001; R. Schweizer, et al.; March 2010
- "Chinese Journal of Pediatrics"; Efficacy and Safety of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Solution in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency in China: A Multicenter Trial; L. Hou, et al.; January 2009
- "Pediatric Nephrology" Growth Hormone Treatment Started in the First Year of Life in Infants with Chronic Renal Failure; F. Mencarelli, et al.; May 2009
- "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism"; Long-Term Growth Hormone Therapy Changes the Natural History of Body Composition and Motor Function in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome; A. L. Carrel, et al.; March 2010
- "Hormone Research"; Psychosocial Functioning After Discontinuation of Long-Term Growth Hormone Treatment in Girls with Turner Syndrome; Y. K. van Pareren, et al.; May 17, 2005
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