How many people have growth hormone deficiency?
It is estimated that one out of every 3,000 to 4,000 children in the U.S. are affected
by growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Find out more about treatment
for GHD.
How is a child diagnosed with GHD?
The diagnosis is based on your child's current height and history of growth, x-rays
that show bone development, and blood tests to check levels of growth hormone. See
more details about how GHD is diagnosed.
How is GHD treated?
Growth hormone therapy replaces the growth hormone that is needed to help a child
with GHD grow to a normal height. Find out more about growth
hormone therapy.
Is growth hormone (GH) therapy safe?
Man-made growth hormones used in today's treatments have been in use for more than
20 years. Studies have shown that GH therapy is safe and effective in helping children
with different kinds of growth conditions. GH therapy should not be used in patients
with cancer, or in those who are receiving cancer treatment. It should also not
be used to increase height in children after the growth plates have closed. GH therapy
should also not be started in patients who are ill because of surgery, trauma, or
respiratory failure. And it should not be used in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
who are severely overweight or have severe breathing problems. Learn more about
the safety of growth hormone therapy.
What conditions is growth hormone therapy used to treat?
Some of the conditions growth hormone therapy is used to treat are growth hormone
deficiency (GHD), low birth weight and related conditions, and genetic conditions
such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Turner's syndrome and other growth disorders.
Learn more about the uses of growth hormone therapy.
What are the benefits of growth hormone therapy?
Growth hormone therapy provides your child with the opportunity to reach his or
her full height potential. Find out more about the benefits
of growth hormone therapy.
Are there any risks associated with growth hormone (GH) therapy?
The risks and safety of GH therapy have been studied extensively. GH therapy should
not be used in patients with cancer, or in those who are receiving cancer treatment.
It should also not be used to increase height in children whose bones have stopped
growing. GH therapy should also not be started in patients who are ill because of
surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure. And it should not be used in children with
Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely overweight or have severe breathing problems.
Find out more about the risks of growth hormone therapy.
How is growth hormone therapy taken?
Growth hormone therapy is given by a single injection under the skin once a day,
usually in the evening. The injection is done at home, either by the child or a
parent. Learn more about what to expect from growth hormone
therapy.
Will my health insurance plan cover the costs of growth hormone therapy?
Different health insurance policies provide different benefits. Work with your doctor
to make sure you know about your coverage for growth hormone therapy. Many companies
that make growth hormone have programs that can help you with your insurance company
or help you explore other options if you don't have health insurance.
Learn more about a growth hormone therapy from PFIZER.