Children with growth deficiencies in height can be treated with growth hormone. Those who already have normal height should avoid using this medication as it may lead to undesirable reactions.
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For individuals who are still growing and have growth plates that have not yet fused, height can potentially be improved with medications and a proper diet.
Children Short Due to Growth Hormone Deficiency
The growth hormone (GH) secreted by the pituitary gland facilitates the lengthening of bones (such as the femur and tibia). A deficiency in GH results in children being shorter in stature compared to their peers. The effectiveness of GH treatment is quite evident within the first five years of administration. For children with normal thyroid function, if diagnosed and treated early along with a nutritious diet, their height can reach normal levels (as per genetic potential).
In the past, natural GH was extracted from deceased donors, with each treatment lasting several years, being both inefficient and costly (around $100,000). Additionally, using natural GH could lead to conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease after 10-15 years of treatment.
Today, through recombinant technology, artificial GH has been developed, making treatment more proactive, safer, and less expensive. However, it remains accessible primarily to those with high income. Prior to treatment, GH levels in the blood must be measured to confirm the child’s condition. This is a costly and complex test.
Short-term use of GH may result in water retention, swelling, finger swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome, and occasionally headaches, drowsiness, joint swelling or pain, and bloating. These symptoms rarely occur when the correct dosage is followed, and if they do arise, they typically resolve upon discontinuation of the medication. Long-term excess GH can lead to the enlargement of certain organs, increased risk of complications and mortality, heightened risk of diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract. Prolonged GH use may also cause pseudo-tumors in the brain, resulting in severe headaches, necessitating immediate cessation of the drug to avoid further damage.
The body produces many hormones that work together harmoniously like an orchestra. The addition or reduction of a single hormone can disrupt this balance, leading to unforeseen negative effects.
Children Short Not Due to Growth Hormone Deficiency
A child’s height is influenced by numerous complex factors such as genetics, the impact of thyroid hormones, sex hormones, adrenal hormones, nutritional status, and deficiencies in trace elements (calcium, zinc, iron, vitamins A and D3). In these cases, the use of GH proves ineffective.
In 2003, the United States allowed Eli Lilly to market recombinant GH. Approximately 1% of short children are treated with this medication, but results are generally disappointing: children receiving injections three times a week for four years experienced only a height increase of about 1.3 cm compared to those given a placebo, with treatment costs reaching $20,000.
In contrast, focusing on proper nutrition and exercise is easier to implement, more cost-effective, and yields numerous benefits.
Cosmetic Surgery for Limb Lengthening
For adults whose growth plates have fused, height can only be improved through cosmetic limb lengthening surgery. Although this procedure has seen advancements and successes, it still poses certain risks: it only lengthens the tibia without extending the femur, leading to a disproportionate appearance (as both the femur and tibia are shorter than normal in individuals with short stature). Improper techniques can result in uneven lengthening, causing leg misalignment. In some cases, infections may occur. The maximum length that can be added is 10 cm; when compared to wearing shoes with a 5-7 cm heel, the result may still be modest.
Therefore, addressing human stature must be approached through multiple methods across generations. Within a single generation, the relative height differences between individuals are normal and should not cause embarrassment. Moreover, many studies confirm that individuals with shorter stature, including those with GH deficiency, do not lag behind in intelligence.
