I am writing on behalf of a friend who is currently dealing with her 2 year old daughter's slow growth. They have had her in for all types of hormone deficiency tests and up until now there have been no positive results. In the past year the baby has grown 1 inch and 1 pound. The doctor is now trying to get them to start her on the growth hormone "humatrope". I'm desperate to find information on this drug (on a personal level). Has anyone had any experience with it? What type of side effects might be experienced? What type of results have been achieved? As an aside let me tell you -- the parents are not pushing this, they do not even feel this is a major problem. Both mom and dad are short, grandmother on the father's side 4'11", all of his brothers are short as well. This is not a tall family, it is understandable that baby will be small. However, the lack of growth in the past year does seem to be of some concern. Please let me know what to expect of this drug and what they should be doing at this point. Thank you so much.

I'm 5'0" and hubby is 5'11" and both of our kids were small. My oldest is now 9 and was wearing 12mos clothes at 2yrs old!! He was small until about 4 or 5 and is now a normal size for his age. My youngest is almost 2 and is between 12/18mos clothes. If they've done all these tests with no proof there's a problem I would wait.
If both parents are small, I would think she's probably average for her family lines, just not normal in the pediatricians eyes. Have them ask family members for letters on the size of their kids and how they progressed, I'll bet she's not the only one who's small. The weight is only an issue in my eyes if she's showing some type of health problem or the tests turn up something.
I've seen very little on HGH. All I've seen is people say it's great for energy, but they are adults and there is no long term follow up and not done under physician care. If this little girl's pediatrician keeps pushing it, I would suggest they get a second and even third opinion if necessary. You may also call a doc who works with HGH in different medical situations or look for boards where you will see real life experiences on it. I know from experience that what the pamphlet at the docs office says is not always the case.
I have narcolepsy and was put on provigil. I was told that it was the best narcolepsy drug hands down with no side effects, unlike the amphetamine based meds I am now taking. I thought I was a freak when I had a violent reaction while on it only 2 wks and when going off it, it triggered severe suicidalness until it got out of my system. The only way I found out that I was not the minority, but the majority was to speak to people who had real life experience with it. I don't know if there's any specific info on this board on it, but it's worth a look.
I'm glad to see this family is not pushing it and that they have such a wonderful friend. I will do some looking to see if I can find anything, but keep me posted on the progress.

My cousin (now 21) has been on HGH for several years. She was very small growing up but as she had been a preemie and had short relatives no one thought much about it. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she was diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome. This condition affects females and has a host of symptoms, including stunted growth. The HGH allowed her to grow more than she would have thus making it able for her to drive without help, reach cabinets, etc. Little things that most of us take for granted. As far as side effects, the main one I remember them mentioning is the risk of leukemia if there is family history of it. I would definitely do more research on HGH and make sure it was medically necessary before putting her on it. Best wishes.

The child should be seen by a pediatric endocrine doctor. There are several tests that should be given. Thyroid, IGF-1, and if necessary a growth stimulation test. If the child has a growth hormone deficiency, it is important to find out why. Some times it is a congenital problem and sometimes it could be a pituitary tumor causing it. My 5 year old has a brain tumor and it has caused him to be growth hormone deficient. The good news is that growth problems can be treated although it is extremely expensive (up to $20,000/year). Most ins. comp. will pay if they know there is a deficiency. Growth hormone also helps with the feeling of general feeling of well being and stamina. It is an important hormone, even in adults.

For more info you can try to go to the MAGIC foundation's web site. They have more info.

Hope that helps.

I am writing on behalf of a friend who is currently dealing with her 2 year old daughter's slow growth. They have had her in for all types of hormone deficiency tests and up until now there have been no positive results. In the past year the baby has grown 1 inch and 1 pound. The doctor is now trying to get them to start her on the growth hormone "humatrope". I'm desperate to find information on this drug (on a personal level). Has anyone had any experience with it? What type of side effects might be experienced? What type of results have been achieved? As an aside let me tell you -- the parents are not pushing this, they do not even feel this is a major problem. Both mom and dad are short, grandmother on the father's side 4'11", all of his brothers are short as well. This is not a tall family, it is understandable that baby will be small. However, the lack of growth in the past year does seem to be of some concern. Please let me know what to expect of this drug and watat they should be doing at this point. Thank you so much.

What did you find out, I am thinking about starting my 8 y/o son on humatrope.