Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency: Ethical Aspects

Abstract

The diagnosis of Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency involves measuring the concentration of this hormone at baseline and after stimuli. However, the greatest use of the hormone occurs in situations where the concentration of the hormone is normal and does not need to be measured. The administration of growth hormone stimulants to measure it includes potentially harmful compounds and is contrary to the basic principle of bioethics of “Do no harm” when we have other parameters that together, without injuring the child, suggest that there is a deficit of the hormone so we consider these stimulus tests should be avoided.