Achondroplasia
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Growth Hormone Therapy Facts:
Growth hormone (GH) treatments are given to children with conditions that cause short stature
GH treatments are very effective in helping growth occur and it is a safe treatment
GH treatments have few side effects
How it Works:
Growth hormones are created in a lab to be identical the hormones produced by the pituitary gland, which are proteins made up of amino acids
It is then injected into the fatty (subcutaneous) tissue just beneath the skin's surface
Growth Hormone Treatment in Achondroplasia
Studies have been done to study GH therapy in Achondroplasia
Growth rate and height both increased in a dose-dependent manner
Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-binding protein-3 and osteocalcin all were increased by GH as well
No unfavorable effects were observed
GH therapy was concluded as a useful method for improvement of severe growth retardation of Achondroplasia
Importance
Although GH therapy may not cure Achondroplasia, it may be able to:
Increase growth rates of people with Achondroplasia
Reduce risks associated with the disease
Overall better the physical health of people with Achondroplasia