Patient discussions
Several companies make recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) identical in structure to the natural human GH, with no risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Each pharmaceutical company has their individual design of pen and method of identifying and giving the dose required. Pens offer the convenience of premeasured doses; some do not require a needle, and GH is given via pressure.
Parents should receive appropriate support and instruction on how to give the daily subcutaneous injection. rhGH should be kept cool, usually in a refrigerator (but not too near the freezer compartment) and any GH that needs to be kept out (e.g., when traveling) should, if possible, be in powder rather than liquid form. The expiry date on the vials should be periodically checked.
Parents should be told that their child will require regular growth monitoring and assessment for other pituitary hormone deficiencies. Children may require retesting after completion of growth and if GHD continues, rhGH may be restarted to provide metabolic and quality-of-life benefits into adulthood.[57] Child Growth Foundation: growth hormone deficiency - a guide for parents and patients Opens in new window The Growth Hormone Research Society Opens in new window Transition to adult care is an important time for children and their parents, and clinicians should introduce the concept early to allow time to plan an optimal transfer into the adult health system.[57]
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