The Transition from Child to Adult Growth Hormone Therapy
We often think of Growth Hormone Deficiency as a childhood issue. This is true. However, it can be a deficiency which follows an affected person into adulthood. The transition from childhood growth hormone deficiency to adult growth hormone therapy (which will last a lifetime) can be confusing. Dr. Underwood prepared the following article to assist our understanding of this transition from childhood growth hormone deficiency to adult growth hormone therapy. Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have, or for additional assistance.
Growth Hormone Therapy- The Transition to Adulthood
Growth hormone (GH; somatotropin), a principal stimulator of body growth, is produced by the pituitary (or master) gland, a small structure located at the base of the brain. Production of too little Growth Hormone (growth hormone deficiency; GHD) in children causes growth to be slow. Because Growth Hormone Deficiency produces striking effects in children and has been a recognized condition for many years, we usually associate the term GHD with children and with the process of statural growth. Growth Hormone, however, is also secreted in adult life, and adults need Growth Hormone to maintain health. Adults who produce too little Growth Hormone also are designated as Growth Hormone Deficient, or we sometimes use the term somatotropin deficiency.
Causes of Growth Hormone Deficiency
Growth Hormone Deficiency in many adults is the continuation of a process that began in infancy or childhood, or it may have its onset after adulthood is reached. The most common form of Growth Hormone Deficiency beginning early in life is termed “idiopathic”, meaning that the cause is not determined. Known causes beginning in childhood include developmental defects in the region of the pituitary gland, genetic problems with the production of GH, damage to the pituitary area resulting from tumor, infection, irradiation, etc. The most common causes of adult-onset Growth Hormone Deficiency are tumors in and around the pituitary gland. Such tumors may compress and damage the remaining pituitary gland, or the GHD may follow efforts to remove the tumor. Other causes of damage to the pituitary of adults include infection, blood vessel disease, and irradiation administered for treatment of tumors of the head or neck.
The Adult Who Was Growth Hormone Deficient During Childhood
In the 3½ decades that Growth Hormone has been used therapeutically, the emphasis has been on alleviation of the short stature of Growth Hormone deficient children. For the most part, these patients have been led to believe that the only purpose of GH therapy was to stimulate their growth so that they would achieve an acceptable adult height and that therapy would not be needed once they reached their adult height. Experience in recent years, however, has led to the conclusion that many, if not most, of the adults who were GH deficient during childhood need to continue GH therapy in adult life.
