Question
Is weight gain after growth hormone injection in children a side effect?
Answer
Injection of growth hormone can lead to various adverse reactions, including transient hyperglycemia. Usually, these reactions disappear spontaneously as treatment progresses or after discontinuation of the medication. Growth hormone does not cause children to gain weight, as it actually has a lipolytic effect, promoting the metabolism of lipids within fat cells. Additionally, growth hormone affects glucose metabolism, reducing the sensitivity of cells to insulin and increasing the utilization of glucose, making it less likely for children receiving growth hormone therapy to gain weight.