By: Claudia Diaz & Alexander Pineda
AT THE CLINIC SCENARIO #2
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The parents of 14-year old Megan are
concerned about her height because she is
only 4 feet tall and they are both close to 6 feet
tall. After tests by their doctor, certain
hormones are prescribed for the girl. What is
the probable diagnosis? What hormones are
prescribed and explain why the girl might
expect to reach normal height?
CAUSES…
Abnormal development of pituitary may cause
hypopituitarism or growth hormone deficiency
 Damage to the pituitary by trauma can cause a
child to stop growing at normal rates
 Kidney failures, diabetes, AIDs, & turner
syndrome affect the pituitary natural function
 Sex hormones, testosterones, and estrogens
have significant impact on the timing of growth
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CONDITIONS OF GHD
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Growth hormone disorder is a disorder involving
the pituitary gland. The gland produces growth
hormone and other hormones , but when it does
not produce enough growth hormone; growth will
be slower than normal.
GHD can occur at any age and has a pattern of
growing less than 2 inch per year
Usually children grow normally 2-3 years then
start showing signs of GHD
In GHD children have normal body proportions
and tend to look younger than kids their own age
Symptoms of GHD are :
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Short height for their age
Increased amount of fat in the waist or face
Look younger than their actual age
Have delayed puberty
Have delayed tooth development
TREATMENT…
Megan is suffering from GHD
 Two hormones frequently
given are somatren and
somatropin
 Injections are administered 3
to 7 times a week
 Growth is usually visible after
3 to 4 months of treatment
 Administered over a period of
2 to 4 years or until child
reaches normal height
 Normal height range for men
is 5’7”-5’11”
for women it is 5’2”-5’6”
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CONDITIONS OF HORMONE…
Growth hormone stimulates
protein synthesis in bone
and muscle
 It stimulates the use of fat
as fuel so that lean body
mass increases and the
skeleton grows
 Fat and liver tissue are
affected directly to release
fat molecules, decrease
glucose uptake and
increases glycogenolysis
(breakdown of
glycogenolysis to glucose)
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SYMPTOMS
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Some complications include:
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Rare Complications:
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Headaches, change in heart
rate, ear infections, hearing
problems, dizziness, vision
problems, and nervousness
Pain or swelling at the injection
site, pain in the hip or knee, a
limp, or nausea and vomiting
Side effects:
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Flu-like symptoms,
constipation, trouble sleeping,
loss of appetite, weight gain,
and tightness in chest