Growth Hormones for Children

From the time children begin visiting the pediatrician, their weight and height are monitored. Some children have growth delays, so they are small for their age. Others are short because their parents are short. If children stop growing, the doctor will diagnose the situation and may recommend growth hormone treatment.

Growth Hormone Deficiency

• The pituitary gland produces growth hormones. If it does not produce enough hormones, growth stops. This can occur at any age in children.

Process

• If a child does not grow an average of 2 inches a year, the doctor may do a complete physical exam. She may order blood tests, X-rays, and study the family growth pattern, as well.

Growth Hormones

• If the doctor diagnoses a child with growth hormone deficiencies, the doctor will replace the missing hormones with hormone therapy. The child must take a daily shot for several years.

Results

• The growth the first year is usually two to five times more than before treatment. The second year may see results of 3 to 4 inches.

Potential

• According to WebMD, Swedish researchers performed a 20-year study and found that short children "can increase their adult height, even if they are not found to be growth hormone deficient."