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Somatropin for Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children

Somatropin is a revolutionized treatment option for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. It has been used as a growth hormone replacement therapy since the 1980s. 

Early care for children with GHD may have positive outcomes. These results can be improved by using somatropin. It helps with the linear growth of children having GHD and can be used as a safe and effective treatment that allows children to reach their genetic potential. 

This well-researched blog is a complete guide to the role of somatropin in growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. 

What is Somatropin?

Somatropin is a polypeptide growth hormone. It is a synthetic form of GH and is also known as recombinant growth hormone (GH). 

Like growth hormone, it has 191 amino acids. Somatropin has an identical structure and function to human growth hormone, released by the pituitary gland. 

A medical doctor generally prescribes somatropin as a potential treatment for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. It works in the same way as GH once it enters a child’s body. 

How does somatropin work for GHD in children?

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a medical condition that may be genetic or acquired later in a child’s life. This occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce growth hormone. It leads to slow or flat growth with other medical conditions like hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, short stature, and delayed puberty in children.

Somatropin can be used as a growth hormone replacement therapy in children with GHD. Once administered, somatropin works by binding to growth hormone receptors in cells. This initiates the following processes. 

  • Production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1): Somatropin stimulates the production of IGF-1 mainly in liver cells. It helps linear growth in children. 
  • Initiates lipolysis and glycolysis: It initiates the breakdown of carbohydrates and lipids to prevent certain conditions associated with hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia like cardiovascular diseases. 
  • Stimulates protein metabolism: Somatropin starts protein metabolism that results in the child’s growth. 
  • Increase cell reproduction and regeneration: This is important for normal growth and somatropin potentially increases cell reproduction and regeneration in children with GHD. 

Benefits of somatropin in children with GHD 

Early treatment of growth hormone deficiency with somatropin may provide several benefits in children. Some of the benefits of using somatropin in children with GHD are given below.

1. Improve linear growth 

Somatropin when used as a growth hormone replacement therapy can improve linear growth in children. It initiates protein metabolism and cell growth to support normal growth in children. 

2. Promote body composition 

Like improving linear growth in children, somatropin can also promote body composition in children with growth hormone deficiency. It helps increase muscle mass and bone density in children. 

3. Enhance mental and motor development 

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can affect mental development in children. However, somatropin can enhance their motor and mental development. A clinical study shows that using somatropin for 3 years by children with GHD can increase mental development by 21.5% and motor development by 36.3%. 

4. Support vertical growth in children

Somatropin can support vertical growth in children. It makes taller children who have short stature due to GHD. However, it maintains normal body structure and height once growth plates are fused.

5. Treat certain medical conditions

Along with other benefits of somatropin for children with GHD, it can also treat some medical conditions. These include Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and children born small for gestational age. 

somatropin prod
Somatropin for Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children 2

What is somatropin used for in children?

Somatropin is generally used for various growth failures associated with growth hormone deficiency in children. Some of the other uses of somatropin in children are given below. 

  • Treat Turner syndrome: It is also used to treat Turner syndrome, a condition where a female child is born with chromosomal dysfunction. 
  • Treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome: Somatropin is generally used to treat Prader-Willi syndrome. It enhances mental development and cognition in such conditions as per research subjects.
  • Idiopathic short stature: It is used in children with idiopathic short stature due to growth hormone deficiency. 
  • Delayed puberty: Growth hormone deficiency can cause delayed puberty in children. Somatropin may help treat such conditions. 
  • Children with SHOX deficiency: SHOX deficiency is a condition characterized by short stature, limb shortening, and other Madelung deformity. Somatropin has been studied to be used for treating SHOX deficiency. 

How to use somatropin

Somatropin is generally used as a subcutaneous injection. It is generally available as a liquid in dosing pens and cartridges or in powder form, which can be mixed with liquid to be injected. A medical doctor usually administers somatropin to ensure its safe and effective use. 

NOTE: It is advisable to consult a medical doctor before using somatropin as a growth hormone therapy.

When should somatropin be used in children?

Generally, a medical doctor determines when a child should use somatropin. However, somatropin can be used in children with growth hormone deficiency. This deficiency can cause various problems including short stature and impaired growth. Somatropin is used to treat such conditions.  

How to identify growth hormone (GH) levels

Growth hormone suppression or stimulation tests are generally used to identify the level of HGH in the body. The normal level of Gh in children is 10 to 50 ng/mL or 440 to 2200 pmol/L. However, it may vary and depend on age and gender. When the level is lower than normal, a medical provider may prescribe somatropin as a GH therapy. 

What is the pediatric somatropin dose for growth hormone deficiency?

A recommended pediatric somatropin dose for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is 0.024 to 0.034 mg/kg subcutaneously (under the skin) per day for 6 to 7 times a week. 

At what age should a child start growth hormone therapy?

Growth hormone therapy can be started at any age. Generally, somatropin is considered one of the best options for growth hormone therapy in children with GHD. 

How much does somatropin help a child’s height?

A clinical study shows that somatropin may increase adult height by 4 to 6 cm in children with idiopathic short stature. However, it varies and depends on different things including gender, age, and medical conditions. 

How long does it take for somatropin to work in children?

Somatropin may take 3 to 6 months to work in children with GHD. However, it varies from child to child and depends on the gender, age, and medical conditions of the children. 

Is somatropin safe for children?

Yes, somatropin is generally considered safe for children having growth hormone deficiency (GHD). It is safe because it mimics a naturally occurring hormone, growth hormone (GH).  However, some side effects may be observed when somatropin is used. These are:

  • Headache 
  • Nausea 
  • Redness at the injection site

Final thoughts

Somatropin is generally used as a growth hormone replacement therapy. It can stimulate linear growth in children with GHD. Those having medical issues like Turner syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome can also use this hormone. Somatropin not only improves linear growth in children but can also increase the height of those children having growth hormone deficiency.

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