Diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiency

Abstract

The mainly manifestations in children with growth hormone deficiency(GHD) are short stature and growth failure. In adults, however, the signs and symptoms of GHD are less clear, such as alterations in body composition, unfavorable lipid profiles, reduced bone mineral density,impaired exercise performance, insulin resistance, adverse cardiovascular risk factors,impairment of quality of life and so on. It requires comprehensive clinical and auxological assessment, combined with radiological evaluation and biochemical tests of the growth hormone(GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis including GH provocative testing to make the proper diagnosis. GH replacement is a rational therapy for GHD to promote the line-growth in children, and to improve the abnormalities of metabolism, body composition, bone and cardiovascular risk factors,therefore to enhance the quality of life in adults. Key words: Growth hormone deficiency; Diagnosis; Growth hormone provocative testing ; Treatment