Growth Disorders Program

Disorders of growth is one of the more common conditions in pediatric endocrinology. Growth disorders can occur for many reasons, which may be hormonal in nature. Growth may also be affected by other factors including nutrition, steroid use, bone disease and a variety of other chronic illnesses. 

Growth is regulated by the pituitary gland, which is known as the master gland of the endocrine system. The pituitary gland releases growth hormone, in addition to multiple other hormones. Growth hormone stimulates height and is important for the development of muscle and bone. It also affects the distribution of fat throughout the body.

Besides growth hormone, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone has a major impact on growth and development.

Some children are born with growth disorders, whereas other children develop issues with growth over time.  Growth disorders can be a significant psychological issue for children, and should be addressed as soon as it becomes apparent. If growth hormone therapy is necessary, children tend to have a greater improvement in height with a longer duration of therapy.

Growth Hormone Treatment

Growth hormone therapy is indicated for treatment of growth hormone deficiency, Turner Syndrome, Prader Willi Syndrome, Chronic Renal Failure, Small for Gestation Age without catch up growth by 2 years of age, HIV wasting, and idiopathic short stature as defined by <1.2% on the standard growth chart. Patients are screened and tested to ensure there is no other cause for growth failure, such thyroid function, or presence of common conditions such as malnutrition, malabsorption, anemia or other chronic illness.  When tests show that patients are candidates for growth hormone therapy, the patient, parents and medical care team discuss the patient's potential adult height, length of treatment and other treatment options if these exist.