Growth Hormone Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

The pituitary releases growth hormone in pulses, so a single random measurement is usually unhelpful. Many short children have familial growth patterns or constitutional delay and do not need hormone treatment.

Related reading: Delayed puberty and growth assessment.

Children may have reduced growth velocity or delayed bone age, and infants can have low blood sugar. Adults may experience changes in body composition, strength or bone health, but these are nonspecific.

Deficiency may be congenital or follow pituitary-region disease, injury, surgery or radiation; sometimes the cause is unclear. Other pituitary hormone deficiencies may coexist and require assessment.

Pituitary disease, brain-tumor treatment, radiation and certain congenital conditions increase likelihood. Family short stature or one low measurement alone does not diagnose deficiency.

Assessment reviews serial growth, parental height, nutrition and illnesses, followed by hormone markers and stimulation testing when indicated. Pituitary imaging may be needed. An isolated test cannot independently establish eligibility for injections.

Confirmed deficiency may be treated with prescribed growth hormone after assessment of benefits, risks and other hormone function. Preparations, schedules and eligibility differ. It is not routine treatment for every short child, anti-aging or performance enhancement.

Untreated deficiency may affect growth, body composition or bones depending on age and cause. Treatment has potential adverse effects, so response and safety are monitored rather than increasing doses to pursue greater height.

Supplements do not prevent most causes. Periodic height measurements, management of underlying illness and follow-up help identify slowing growth. Some childhood cases require reassessment after final height before adult treatment continues.