Overview
Children with growth hormone deficiency grow more slowly than their peers. Early diagnosis and treatment help them reach a better adult height.
Signs
- Slow growth and short height for age
- Younger-looking face
- Chubby build
- Delayed puberty
- Low blood sugar in babies
Causes and risk factors
It may be present from birth or caused by pituitary or brain tumours, head injury, radiotherapy or infection. Often no cause is found.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves measuring growth over time, a bone age X-ray, blood tests and growth hormone stimulation tests. An MRI of the pituitary may be done.
Treatment
Treatment is daily growth hormone injections, monitored by a paediatric endocrinologist.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your child is much shorter than other children of the same age or is growing slowly.
This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. For a medical emergency, call +92-51-8446666 or go to the nearest emergency department.