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What
is GHD?
Growth Hormone Deficiency occurs when a child’s
body does not produce enough of a hormone called somatropin,
also known as growth hormone. When this happens, a child’s
growth begins to slow down. In order for a child to
grow properly, an important gland called the pituitary
must produce and/or release enough growth hormone.
What
are the signs and symptoms of GHD?
The first and most noticeable symptom—and
the one that causes most parents to seek a doctor’s
help—is slow growth (less than 2 inches per
year) or no growth. Other symptoms can also include: |
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• An immature face—making
the child look younger than he or she actually
is, especially when compared to peers
• A history of low blood sugar as an infant |
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Keep in mind that each and every child experiences
his or her symptoms differently.
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What
causes GHD?
Growth hormone deficiency is congenital, acquired
or idiopathic. Congenital means
that the child was born with the disorder. This
can be due to a genetic abnormality that involved
the formation of the pituitary gland, which is responsible
for producing growth hormone. Acquired
means the disorder develops later in life; risk
factors can include: |
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• A pituitary
gland or hypothalamus tumor
• Damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
from radiation treatment around the head or neck
• Trauma to the head that caused brain damage
• Meningitis (an infection of the central
nervous system)
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| Occasionally, doctors cannot find
any reason for a child’s growth hormone deficiency.
The cause seems truly to be unknown. When that happens,
the growth hormone deficiency is referred to as
idiopathic. |
What are the effects of
GHD?
Growth hormone deficiency causes slow growth and without
treatment can result in short stature as an adult.
How common is GHD?
It is estimated that the incidence of growth hormone
deficiency in children is between 1 in 4,000 and 1 in
10,000.
What treatments are available
for GHD?
Growth hormone deficiency is treated with human growth
hormone. Saizen® is indicated for the
treatment of children and adults with growth hormone
deficiency. Saizen® is a brand of recombinant
growth hormone marketed in the US by EMD Serono. Like
all recombinant growth hormone products, Saizen®
should not be used in patients with diabetic retinopathy,
active cancer, serious acute critical illness, or in
Prader-Willi syndrome patients with severe obesity or
severe respiratory impairment. For more information
and full disclosure, please see enclosed prescribing
information.
What can you expect from
GHD treatment?
A growing child! Growth hormone therapy causes bones
to grow, which causes an increase in height. It may
take 3 to 4 months of treatment before there is a distinct
change in the child. During the first year of therapy,
a child can grow as much as 8 to 12 centimeters (3 to
4.5 inches). After the first year of therapy, on average,
most patients grow approximately seven centimeters (2.75
inches) per year.
How do you administer
GHD treatments?
EMD Serono offers three patient-friendly injection devices
for the administration of Saizen®: one.click®,
an auto-injector pen; cool.click®, a
needle-free option; and easypod®
a new, innovative electronic device.
Where
can I find out more information about GHD?
You can find out more information about growth hormone
deficiency on the internet at: |
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• The Human Growth Foundation,
www.hgfound.org
• The Magic Foundation, www.magicfoundation.org
• www.howkidsgrow.com |
Can GHD occur in adults?
Growth hormone deficiency can occur in both children
and adults. For information about adult growth hormone
deficiency, please visit www.saizenus.com.
Home :: About
Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)
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