The process of growth can be likened to the assessment of a child's health, as reflected in a health report card. A child's growth is indicative of their future health and intelligence. It is important to consider the potential implications of stunted growth on future development.
It is important to note that growth is not solely a physical phenomenon; brain and mental growth are equally crucial. An optimal growth and development process encompasses all aspects, both physical and cognitive. Focusing on body growth alone may result in the neglect of other equally crucial issues. Therefore, it is essential to identify the factors that can influence children's overall growth in order to facilitate regular monitoring of their growth.
The following factors influence a child's growth:
Genetics is a significant factor influencing a child's growth. Genetics play a significant role in determining a child's growth potential, encompassing both positive factors such as height and negative factors such as genetic conditions that impede growth.
Nutrition plays a significant role in growth and development. Balanced nutrition is essential for optimal growth; however, a deficiency in nutrients can result in stunting, while an excess of nutrients can increase the risk of obesity.
Physical Activity: Sufficient physical activity is crucial for the release of growth hormones; however, excessive activity can also impede the growth process in children.
Specific Health Conditions: A variety of health conditions, including hormonal disorders, chronic diseases, and genetic abnormalities, have the potential to impede a child's growth and development. It is of the utmost importance that the appropriate treatment is administered in order to guarantee optimal growth.
But did you know?
In addition to the aforementioned factors, the role of growth hormones in a child's development is also significant. The effects of these hormones extend beyond childhood, influencing long-term health outcomes in adulthood.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH):
Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, has been described as a "magic fertilizer" for the body. It facilitates the growth of children to an optimal height and strength by increasing the size and volume of bones, muscles, and other organs. Furthermore, HGH plays a role in maintaining overall bodily health, influencing the condition of the skin, hair, and internal organs. Growth hormone (GH) plays a pivotal role in human growth and development from childhood to adulthood. Once an individual has reached adulthood, the function of this hormone does not cease; rather, it is responsible for maintaining optimal functionality of the body's internal organs. In adults, growth hormone (GH) is primarily responsible for maintaining adequate volume and strength of the skin, muscles, and bones. Additionally, it facilitates the functionality, repair, and maintenance of muscles, the heart, the lungs, the liver, the kidneys, joints, the nervous system, and the brain.
How does human growth hormone (HGH) work in the body?
The human growth hormone (HGH), produced by the pituitary gland, initially flows through the blood vessels to the liver. In the liver, growth hormone (HGH) is converted into insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Subsequently, IGF-1 is transported throughout the body via the circulatory system, accompanied by Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP-3), the primary protein responsible for carrying IGF-1 within the body. IGF-1 plays a pivotal role in maintaining the functionality of all organs within the human body. Additionally, its involvement in organ maintenance contributes to the sustenance of the human immune system.
What causes Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)?
The absence of growth hormone from birth can be attributed to the presence of tumors in the brain. These neoplasms are typically situated at the level of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus region in close proximity to the brain. In both children and adults, serious head injuries, infections, and radiation treatments can also result in growth hormone deficiency (GHD). This is referred to as acquired growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). The majority of cases of GHD are idiopathic, indicating that the underlying cause remains unknown.
What are the symptoms of Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)?
Failure to achieve expected growth and development
Short stature when compared to other children of the same age and gender
Delayed or absent sexual maturation during puberty
How is growth hormone deficiency diagnosed?
In the event that a child exhibits growth failure or short stature in the absence of any other indications, the attending physician will typically refer the patient to a pediatric endocrinologist, a specialist in the field of pediatric endocrinology and metabolism.
The endocrinologist will request a detailed account of the child's growth history and will conduct a comprehensive examination. The physician will then order a series of tests, including:
Blood test
The process of testing growth hormone (GH) levels is not straightforward. Growth hormone is produced for a brief period of time, particularly during the nocturnal hours, and its levels cannot be accurately measured at other times. This introduces a degree of complexity to the testing process, given the inherent fluctuations in GH levels. Consequently, medical practitioners tend to prefer measuring the levels of two proteins that exhibit more consistent levels and serve as markers of GH function, namely, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). Moreover, medical practitioners may investigate additional potential etiologies of short stature that are not associated with growth hormone dysfunction.
Bone age x-ray
It is recommended that an X-ray of one of your child's hands and wrists be conducted. An expert will compare your child's x-rays with those of other children of the same age and provide an estimation of the child's bone age in years. A discrepancy between the child's bone age and their actual age may indicate a deficiency in growth hormone (GH) production.
GH stimulation test
A growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed through the administration of a specific test, which is conducted by medical professionals when other diagnostic procedures indicate the possibility of such a deficiency. Prior to the test, the child is required to fast, which entails abstaining from food and drink for a designated period, typically overnight. The physician administers a pharmaceutical agent that stimulates the body's production of growth hormone. Subsequently, a nurse collects blood samples at various intervals to assess the levels of growth hormone (GH) in the body. Low GH levels confirm the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency.
MRI (Brain)
These meticulously detailed brain images assist medical professionals in identifying potential issues with the pituitary gland or the brain that may be contributing to the observed growth hormone deficiency.
Should you have concerns regarding your child's growth and development, we advise you to consult with our medical professionals at K-Lab. Furthermore, we are able to offer a comprehensive range of laboratory tests. Should further clarification be required regarding this examination, we kindly request that you contact us.
· https://yankes.kemkes.go.id/view_artikel/595/hormon-pertumbuhan
· https://www.healthline.com/health/growth-hormone-deficiency#causes
· https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/growth-hormone-deficiency
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