What Are the Side Effects of HGH on Children?
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone that is normally secreted by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is most active during the years most human growth occurs, which is from birth through adolescence. Some children have a congenital pituitary defect that causes the pituitary gland to secrete decreased amounts of HGH. Children with lower HGH production will be noticeably shorter than other children their age, motor skill development may be delayed and they may have higher levels of body fat. For children inflicted with this disorder, HGH therapy may be indicated. Before 2003, HGH was only approved as a treatment for children who were hormone deficient. In 2003, the Food and Drug administration approved HGH as a treatment for non-hormone deficient short children. As with any medication or therapy, there is a risk for unwanted or unexpected effects. The effects may be different in each population, hormone deficient children and non-hormone deficient children.
