Signs of children with growth hormone disorders

Growth hormone disorder is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone. Too much or too little growth hormone will cause effects on children. Therefore, when suspecting that their child has a growth hormone disorder, parents should not arbitrarily supplement with hormones but need to be consulted, examined and treated by a specialist.

The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland located in the pituitary with a size of 10 * 13 * 6 mm and a weight of about 0.6g. This is an endocrine gland that secretes important hormones, including growth hormone (GH) that has a general effect on body development.
Growth hormone deficiency is a disease with short stature and metabolic complications. When the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone, it affects not only the height but also the health and endocrine development of the child.
Growth hormone GH plays an essential role for normal human growth and development. It promotes compatible bone growth that increases with age from birth to puberty. In cases where growth hormone disturbances have serious effects as follows:
Growth hormone deficiency is when there is not enough GH produced. During the fetal period, some congenital diseases also cause a deficiency of the hormone GH, causing the child to be born small for the gestational age, stunted in the womb. Children develop slowly and are smaller in stature for their age. An excess of the hormone GH can cause a child's bones to continue to grow in length and exceed the norm during puberty. Even people with excess GH hormone can have a height of up to 2.1 m. People with excess GH hormone will have enlarged faces, weak health, delayed puberty and frequent headaches. In addition, growth hormone GH also plays an important role in regulating bone density, muscle mass and lipid metabolism in the body. Growth hormone disturbance can result in decreased bone density, less muscle mass, and altered lipid levels. This condition can make bones more prone to fracture, especially in the elderly.

Children in the developing period with growth hormone disorders will often be shorter than their peers of the same age, height < -2SD compared to the normal population. Due to hypoplasia in the mid-face area, the young face looks round and immature. The size of children's limbs is quite small, the penis is small. Children may also be chubby and have fat concentrated around their abdomen, even though their body proportions are within normal limits. For girls, they may not develop breasts or boys will not break their voice when they come of age, and this sets them apart from their peers.
A number of other psychological signs may also occur, including:
Depression ; Lack of concentration ; Poor memory; Anxiety or emotional changes. If growth hormone dysfunction occurs at later stages of life due to various risk factors such as: traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, the common sign is delayed puberty or growth retardation. about sex.
Children with growth hormone disorders may also often feel tired, have poor tolerance, be more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.

Medical experts recommend that when parents suspect their child is stunted due to a growth hormone disorder, they should not arbitrarily supplement this hormone but need consultation, examination and treatment by a specialist.
At the same time, hormone treatment for children, especially children of growing age, should be applied as soon as possible and lasted until 12 years of age. After the age of 12, when the ends of the bones have closed, the treatment is no longer effective. When growth hormone is disturbed, besides medication or hormone treatment, it is necessary to combine with increased exercise, adequate sleep, and adequate nutrition to help children achieve maximum height.
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Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: including leading experts with high professional qualifications ( professor, associate professor, doctorate, master), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108... The doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious - understanding and understanding young psychology. Besides domestic pediatricians, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. upon reaching adulthood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.