Question
How long does the treatment for injecting growth hormone for children typically last? How is the duration of the treatment calculated? How can one determine if this treatment is helpful for the child?
Answer
The duration of growth hormone therapy varies depending on the expectations of each parent and the family’s financial situation. As age increases, treatment costs may rise due to changes in weight. Internationally, substitute treatments for growth hormone deficiency in adults have already begun, while the goal of pediatric treatment is to stabilize final height. Strictly speaking, for individuals with growth hormone deficiency, this treatment may be lifelong, although the dosage will vary with age. One method to diagnose the effectiveness of growth hormone therapy is to see if the annual growth rate after treatment increases by more than 2 centimeters per year compared to before treatment.