Human growth hormone, or HGH, is approved by the FDA to treat several conditions in children. Dr. Alan Rogol, writing in the online medical reference UpToDate, reports that HGH may be used to treat growth hormone deficiency as well as chronic kidney disease-related growth failure. It is also approved to treat short stature that occurs as a result of several genetic conditions, such as Turner syndrome, as well as short stature that has no clear cause. However, children taking HGH are at risk for several side effects.
Hormones
HGH can affect children's endocrine system, which includes a number of glands throughout the body that release hormones--chemical messengers that are produced in one place in the body and travel to another organ, where they exert their effects and actions. Children taking HGH may experience hypoglycemia, or an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. If the blood sugar level becomes too low, children may experience symptoms such as dizziness and confusion; at dangerously low levels, fainting, coma or even death may occur. A 2004 study that looked at about 400 deaths of patients taking HGH found that hypoglycemia was an important cause of death in these patients. Interestingly, according to the pharmacology reference MicroMedex, the opposite effect--hyperglycemia, or abnormally high levels of blood sugar--may also occur in patients taking HGH. The medical reference UpToDate reports that hypothyroidism--abnormally low levels of thyroid hormone--may also result from HGH administration.
Central Nervous System
Children taking HGH may experience headaches, fatigue and seizures; fortunately, as indicated in MicroMedex, seizures are rare. Teenagers who are being treated for a growth hormone deficiency that is due to a brain tumor may be at risk for developing a second tumor; specifically, a type of tumor called a meningioma. Finally, UpToDate reports that generalized weakness may be seen in children taking HGH.
Bones and Muscles
HGH administration in children may result in joint pain called arthralgia; alternatively, children may complain more generally of muscle or leg pain. Another possible side effect is slipped capital femoral epiphysis, in which the rounded, ball-shaped part of the hip joint becomes separated from the femur, or the thigh bone. This occurs right at the growth plate, and, according to MedlinePlus, may cause hip or knee pain, difficulty walking, hip stiffness or limping.
Skin
As is the case with many drugs, a rash is a possible side effect of HGH administration. In addition, so-called "local" reactions--redness, swelling or itching at the site of the hormone injection--may occur. Finally, children with psoriasis may find that their psoriasis worsens while taking HGH.
References
- MicroMedex: Somatropin
- MedlinePlus: Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
- "Journal of Pediatrics;" Long-term mortality in the United States cohort of pituitary-derived growth hormone recipients; J.L. Mills, et. al.; April 2004
- "UpToDate"; Denise S. Basow; 2010
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