Pituitary dwarfism

Alternative names:

dwarfism; growth hormone deficiency; panhypopituitarism

Treatment:

Replacement therapy with growth hormone is indicated for children who have documented growth hormone deficiency. No ideal treatment schedule has been developed yet. If the deficiency is an isolated growth hormone deficiency only growth hormone is given. If the deficiency is not isolated other hormone replacement preparations will be required.

Expectations (prognosis):

Long-term benefits of growth hormone replacement therapy are still under study. Growth rates are improved in most children treated with growth hormones, although the effectiveness of treatment may decrease with prolonged treatment.

Complications:

Untreated, short stature and delayed pubertal development will result. Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease has been acquired from cadaver derived growth hormone (no longer available). Synthetic growth hormone is now available which is free of all infectious disease risk.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child seems abnormally short for their age.