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.