|
The child's small size and slow growth can be seen by plotting the child's height on a
growth chart and comparing the child's growth over time with the growth of other
children of the same age. Children without enough growth hormone have bones
that are less developed than expected for the child's age. Your doctor may order a bone age X-ray
of the hand and wrist (or if younger than 2 years an X-ray of half of the body)
as part of the evaluation of your child's growth.
Blood tests to measure hormones important for growth and controlled by growth hormone can also be done. These are called IGF-1 (somatomedin C) and IGFBPs. These blood tests help tell if one has the ability to make enough growth hormone. The endocrinologist can do a special test call a growth hormone stimulation test to see if the child is making enough growth hormone. This is done by giving the child special medicines that make the pituitary gland release growth hormone. Small amounts of blood will be taken frequently over a period of about 2-3 hours to measure the amount of growth hormone made by the pituitary gland. About 6 in 10 children with ONH do not make enough growth hormone. If your child is found to not make enough growth hormone to grow normally (called growth hormone deficiency), he or she may need to get growth hormone shots 6 nights a week at least until the child has finished growing and probably throughout his or her adult life. In adulthood, growth hormone treatment is important to maintain strong bones and normal metabolism. These shots are easy to give and almost all parents are able to give them to their children after receiving instruction. With proper treatment you can expect your child's growth to be close to what it would have been without a growth hormone problem. |
|
