Since about two thirds of total growth hormone production occurs during deep sleep, this test provides a better reflection of how much growth hormone the child's pituitary gland normally produces. If several tests show that no growth hormone is present or that the amount of growth hormone being produced is not enough to support normal growth, the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency is established. A great deal of research is being done to develop more accurate and reliable ways of diagnosing growth hormone deficiency. Even the definition of growth hormone deficiency is being revised as researchers learn more about conditions that may cause partial growth hormone deficiency. Treatment of Growth Hormone Deficiency Growth hormone deficiency is treated with injections of growth hormone.
Some children receive three of four injections a week, while other receive daily injections.
There is usually a prompt increase in growth rate after treatment starts, which may be noticeable to the child and parent in 3 to 4 months. This faster than-normal growth rate slowly declines over time, but it continues to be greater than would occur without treatment. Many parents notice an increase in the child's appetite and loss of body fat after treatment begins. The treatment of growth hormone deficiency usually is carried out over several years, until the child achieves an acceptable adult height or maximum growth potential is reached. As with other conditions, children and parents may become impatient to see faster or more impressive results from therapy.