Remember Me
forgot your password?

HGH: Human Growth Hormone's Uses for Children's Diseases

Human Growth Hormone, or HGH, is a protein-based peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland deep in the base of the brain. HGH stimulates both cell reproduction and growth; children with low HGH levels are noticeably shorter than their peers and may suffer other health problems, as well. The pituitary gland is most active during the time when most human growth occurs-- from birth to about age fourteen or fifteen at which time it slows production of HGH considerably. Many experts believe that as HGH levels bottom out, the aging process begins.

Symptoms of low Human Growth Hormone levels in children include short stature, (bottom three percentile as measured against their peers), delayed motor skills development and higher levels of body fat. There are many causes of short stature in children in which HGH therapy may be indicated. One such cause is Prader-Willi syndrome which is a genetic abnormality passed down from the father. It is, specifically, an abnormality in chromosome 15. Children with Prader-Willi syndrome usually have small hands and feet, low muscle density and a tendency toward obesity as well as being considerably shorter than other children their age. They may even have cognitive disabilities.

HGH therapy is commonly offered to children with PWS and has been shown to be effective in not only increasing stature but also in building new muscle cells and stimulating bone growth. HGH therapy works to increase a PWS kid's stature through puberty, at which time bones cease growing. HGH also tends to rev up metabolism thus assisting overweight pediatric Prader-Willi patients to lose their typical excess body fat.

Other reasons a child may be of extremely short stature include but are not limited to:

A rare -one out of ten-thousand births- genetic condition called achondroplasia (dwarfism) can cause pathological shortness and is evident from birth. It is an illness in the chondrodystrophy class and involves both cartilage and the long bones. It can sometimes, but not always, be treated successfully with HGH.

Ullrich-Turner syndrome which affects only girls. Ullrich-Turner is also known as Gonadal Dygenesis and stems from a missing X chromosome. Girls with UTS are typically infertile and considerably shorter than their peers. While no amount of HGH will cause menstruation or fertility in UTS girls, it may noticeably increase their height if administered early enough.

There is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition in some children called Short Bowel Syndrome or SBS. This condition arises when a significant portion of the patient's small intestine either does not develop or is surgically removed due to disease or trauma. With little or no small bowel the patient cannot absorb certain nutrients or water or necessary electrolytes. In SBS patients there are symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, poor appetite and improper weight gain as well as constant nausea and frequent vomiting. Until very recently the only know treatment for SBS was to administer pre-digested nutrients parentally, bypassing the stomach, until a transplant could be performed. HGH supplementation has been shown to increase muscle mass in adults and children and is starting to be used as a therapy to treat children with SBS along with specialized diet and glutamine therapy.

There are other unknown or idiopathic causes for children to be of extremely short stature. This means that there is no known cause for shortness yet they are in the lowest three percent in height of other children the same age. For a doctor to diagnose a child with idiopathic short stature, they must perform several tests to first rule out other possible causes. An endocrinologist should be consulted, as well.

Often, human growth hormone is given as a treatment option for these types of childhood diseases.

Dan Thomas

Eternal HGH is the leading human growth hormone informational website, looking at the history of hGH, its uses, and side effects. Much more information about hGH can be found at Eternal HGH, Human Growth Hormone Research.

Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Health Articles
  • More from Dan Thomas

Ways to Minimize the Risk of Migraine Headaches

By: Mike McCoy | 12/11/2009
When chemicals are released into the nerve fibers and the blood vessels enlarge, it can cause migraine headaches. And when this type of headache strikes, it can render you unable to carry on with your daily activities. Not only do migraine headaches cause debilitating pain, they can also cause sensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, blurred vision, diarrhea, and cold hands and feet.

Plastic Surgeons Are Using Increasingly Sophisticated Techniques to Optimize Breast Reconstruction

By: Dave Stringham | 12/11/2009
Breast reconstruction is a vital component of the overall treatment plan of breast cancer patients. Surgical breast reconstruction is not only desired by most patients, but is recommended by law in many countries. It is being performed with increasingly sophisticated techniques to optimize the appearance, and feel of the reconstructed breast limit donor site morbidity and provide a long term result.

Mastopexy May Be For People That Have Breasts That Don't Fit Their Self Image

By: Dave Stringham | 12/11/2009
There are few internationally recognized plastic surgeon who are known throughout the world for their outstanding abilities to create shapely, beautiful breasts. At their plastic surgery offices, they perform breast lift surgery for discriminating patients.

Get Your Family Ready For Heart Surgery

By: Richard Hewitt | 12/11/2009
It's essential to organize a Home Team before you go in for heart surgery, even if you have little time before your surgery to plan it. On the other hand, if you have just gotten home from the hospital, don't worry it's not too late. A Home Team is a group of friends and family who are willing to assist you

What Are The Safe Alternative Treatments For High Blood Pressure

By: Richard Hewitt | 12/11/2009
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of the arteries each time your heart beats. Your blood pressure is highest each time the heart beats, pumping blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure, and is the high number in your reading. The diastolic pressure measures the

Safe Ways Of Treating High Blood Pressure

By: Richard Hewitt | 12/11/2009
What exactly is high blood pressure and why isn't there global agreement among the medical industry of for the best treatment? Learn more about the dangers of high blood pressure and commonly prescribed medications for hypertension in part 1 of our blood pressure report.

Using Resvinatrol To Fight Diabetes Today

By: Richard Hewitt | 12/11/2009
Resveratrol is not new, scientists have been studying its effects for many years. Resveratrol is known for its ability to protect plants from bacteria and fungi, while previous research has also found it helps prevent the negative effects of high-calorie diets and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer

Ways For Natural Treatments Of Blood Pressure

By: Richard Hewitt | 12/11/2009
While there are many common pharmaceutical treatments for high blood pressure including beta blockers and A.C.E. inhibitors there are some very effective alternatives including pomegranate juice, passion flower and physical exercise.

Human Growth Hormone - What are its Uses?

By: Dan Thomas | 14/05/2009 | Health
The history and uses of human growth hormone and what forms of delivery it is available in.

Human Growth Hormone: Breakthrough or Hype?

By: Dan Thomas | 13/04/2009 | Fitness
A look at some recent research done on the human growth hormone in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.73, 6, w1)