Growth hormone deficiency in children:
Symptoms & treatment
It is concerning when a child continues to grow older without
becoming taller. This is initially ignored, but when school uniforms
change annually but height does not, parents become alarmed. It is
not always late growth or genetics; sometimes it's hormonal. One of
the most important hormones that controls a child's growth is growth
hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. When a
child does not grow enough of it, then the child develops a medical
condition that is called
growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
If this GHD issue is not appropriately managed by a qualified
doctor, a child may experience problems with their bones, muscles,
metabolism, and self-esteem as they enter adolescence.
In this blog, you can learn about GHD symptoms and treatment.
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) happens when the pituitary gland
fails to produce sufficient growth hormone needed for normal body
development. Growth hormone regulates energy, fat metabolism, organ
growth, muscle growth, and bone lengthening (height). After the age
of three, children typically grow 5-7 cm annually. Growth is
significantly slowed when GHD is present. GHD can be:
Born with it or congenital: The pituitary gland is not
fully developed, or hormone production is impacted by genetic
issues.
Developed later or acquired: It can be caused by brain
injury, brain tumor, infection affecting the brain, radiation
therapy, or unknown causes, which is very common.
Growth hormone deficiency
symptoms in children
The growth hormone (GH) is mostly released during sleep. For this
reason, during childhood and puberty, children undergo significant
growth. Without enough GH, the body simply does not get the signal
to grow. Normally, the parents often miss this condition at first if
the child looks normal. But doctors don't look at appearance; they
focus on growth pattern. Some common symptoms of
growth hormone deficiency are given below:
Very slow height increase: Normally, a child grows 5 to 7
cm per year after age 3, but a child with GHD only grows less than
4 cm per year.
Short height compared to parents: If both parents have
average height but the child remains unusually short in comparison
to them, then it raises suspicion.
Younger facial appearances: A child often looks younger
than their age, such as having a baby face.
Increased body fat: If a child is having increased body
fat, especially around the abdomen and chest, then it is a
problem.
Delayed puberty: Sometimes puberty is delayed. It shows no
sign at the expected age.
Weak muscles and delayed tooth eruption: Sometimes, teeth
appear later than normal. Muscle strength is weaker than that of
others.
Infant symptoms: Some symptoms in the case of infants are
poor feeding habits, low blood sugar, prolonged jaundice, and
small genital size in boys.
Growth chart data: When a child's growth chart crosses
downward percentiles, doctors can tell that the child is not
following the typical growth curve.
Worried about your child’s height?
Consult a child growth hormone specialist today!
Ensure healthy growth and timely treatment by speaking with an
experienced pediatric endocrinology specialist.
The treatments for
growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children
The good news is that GHD is treatable thanks to advances in
contemporary medicine. It is best to start treatment early. Late
diagnosis is the risk, not medication. because growth plates shut
down after puberty, making it impossible to grow taller. GH therapy
is safe when it is prescribed properly and monitored by a
pediatrician.
Somatropin injection or growth hormone therapy: It is a treatment
that involves recombinant human growth hormone, which is the
synthetic version identical to the natural hormone. Its work
processes are:
Once daily, a tiny subcutaneous injection is administered.
Usually administered at night because natural GH is released
during sleep.
Continued for several years until the growth plates close.
Every three to six months, doctors check blood hormone levels,
bone age, height, and the onset of puberty.
When improvement starts, parents typically notice an increase in
appetite, better energy, and height acceleration in 3 to 4 months.
Why is early treatment necessary for
GHD in children?
Psychologically, children suffer more than physically. A child who
is repeatedly treated as younger than their age often develops
social anxiety and poor academic performance. In adolescence, this
can affect personality formation and long-term mental health, so
this condition is not only about height. Untreated growth hormone
deficiency, or GHD, can lead to:
Bones may not reach full strength.
Body composition stays skewed toward fat.
Poor muscle mass.
Low self-confidence.
Metabolic issues can develop.
Get expert treatment for
GHD in children!
A specialized evaluation is necessary for a proper diagnosis of GHD.
A pediatric endocrinologist has to do it; it's not as simple as
speculating based on height.
Prof. Dr. Salahuddin Mahmud specializes in
identifying and treating growth hormone deficiency in children
through individualized treatment plans and evidence-based care.
Parents should be concerned if a child older than 3 years
grows less than about 4–5 cm per year or remains the
smallest among classmates for a long time. If the child’s
height is far below what would be expected from the
parents’ height, a medical evaluation is recommended
instead of waiting for puberty.
No. Genetic short height means the child follows a normal
growth pattern but stays short like the parents. Growth
hormone deficiency is different—the child’s growth rate
slows down abnormally and drops on the growth chart. This
is a medical condition and requires hormone testing and
specialist assessment.
Yes, when prescribed and monitored by a qualified
pediatric specialist. Growth hormone therapy (somatropin
injection) is a synthetic form identical to the natural
hormone. Doctors regularly monitor height, bone age, and
hormone levels to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Treatment usually continues for several years, often until
puberty is completed and growth plates close. Many parents
notice improved appetite, energy, and height increase
within about 3–4 months after starting therapy.
Untreated GHD can lead to permanently short adult height,
weak bones, higher body fat, reduced muscle mass, delayed
puberty, and low self-confidence. After puberty begins,
growth plates close, and height cannot be significantly
increased, so early diagnosis is very important.
Disclaimer:
The information published on this website is provided solely for awareness and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified specialist or physician before making any medical decisions.
Consult a Child Growth & Hormone Specialist at Prof. Dr. Salahuddin Mahmud
If your child’s growth seems delayed, consult a pediatric
endocrinology specialist early.
