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Frequently Asked Questions

Helping families understand treatment options with clarity and care

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Table of Contents

What Is Growth Hormone Therapy?
Growth Progress Stories
How Does It Work?
Who Is a Candidate?
Safety and monitoring
Benefits of Treatment
FAQs

What is Growth Hormone Therapy for Children?

Growth hormone therapy is a treatment that helps children who are not growing as expected. It uses carefully supervised doses of growth hormone to support healthy height and development. The goal is to help children grow at a steady, healthier pace with expert guidance and close monitoring from specialists.

Growth Progress Stories

These photos show how children in our program have progressed over time. Every child’s journey is unique, but these examples reflect the positive changes families may see with treatment.

Starting Treatment

+8.5 CM in 9 months

+16.6 CM in 18 months

AC grew 16.6cm (6.53 inches) in 18 months

Starting Treatment

in 18 months

JL has grown 15.1 cm (5.94 In) in 18 months

Grew 6.54 inches in 18 months

Grew 5.94 inches in 18 months

How Does it Work?

Growth hormone(hGH) is given as a small injection under the skin, usually at night — just before the body’s natural growth hormone surge. This timing helps mimic the body’s natural rhythm of hormone release. Parents receive full training to administer injections confidently at home, and our team monitors progress regularly to adjust the plan as the child grows.
  • Nighttime injections: Small, subcutaneous, with very thin needles
  • Training: Video education and nurse guidance for at‑home confidence
  • Follow‑ups: Regular in-person or telehealth visits, lab checks and x-rays to monitor progress
  • Adjustments: Dosage tailored as the child grows

Who Is a Candidate?

Growth Hormone Therapy May Be Beneficial for
  • Idiopathic short stature - healthy children who are significantly shorter than peers without a known medical cause
  • Slower growth than expected , even with good health, nutrition, and normal activity levels
  • Growth patterns below the expected range for their age group
  • Early puberty or limited remaining growth time , with predicted adult height below expectations
  • Height-related self-confidence concerns , where treatment can support both growth and emotional well-being.
Every child’s growth pattern and response to treatment are unique. Our specialists carefully evaluate each case before making recommendations.

Safety and Monitoring

Safety is centered on close follow-up. Most side effects, when they occur, are mild and temporary, and dosing can be adjusted. We monitor growth velocity, lab markers, and overall well-being. Our team ensures open communication so families know what to expect at every step.

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Benefits of Growth
Hormone Treatment

Families often see meaningful improvements in their child’s growth and confidence:
  • Clinically proven results — Extensive research shows that growth hormone therapy effectively helps children grow taller and achieve a greater final adult height, including kids with idiopathic short stature.
  • Enhanced bone and muscle strength — Supports the development of stronger bones and muscles, helping maintain healthy growth and physical strength.
  • Boosted self-confidence and well-being — Achieving a healthier height can significantly improve a child’s self-esteem, social confidence, and emotional development.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The medication is self‑injected six times a week at nighttime, under the skin with a very thin needle. Families receive detailed education, video training, and in‑home nurse support when treatment begins.
The growth hormone treatment is known to be quite safe. Serious side effects are very rare in children without underlying diseases. Temporary pain and itching at the injection site may occur. During the initial stages of treatment, temporary flu-like symptoms, hypothyroidism, swelling, and headaches can also occur, although these are still rare. The dosage of medication may be adjusted with close monitoring to manage these side effects.
SCFE (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis) is very rare but can occur in boys with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 29), particularly during periods of rapid growth. Additionally, if children already have scoliosis, the curvature may worsen during their rapid growth. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain an appropriate growth rate, avoid excessive weight gain, and closely follow up with the prescribing physician throughout growth hormone treatment.
Human growth hormone treatment is contraindicated in patients with active cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease, or sleep apnea due to morbid obesity.
Sleep, nutrition, and exercise all play important roles. Children benefit from 9–10 hours of sleep, balanced meals rich in protein and calcium, and daily physical activity such as running or jumping.
Costs depend on dosage, which is determined by weight, age, and growth plate status. Younger children often require lower doses. Health insurance typically does not cover hGH treatment when there are no medical diseases significantly affecting a child’s growth. The exact cost is determined after the initial consultation, based on your child’s growth plate exam and individualized treatment plan.
Eligibility is determined after the initial consultation. In insurance-covered cases, a diagnosed medical condition is usually required for approval. However, in self-pay cases, treatment is not limited to children with a medical disease. The key factor is whether the growth plates in the arms and legs remain open, showing sufficient growth potential. Through X-ray evaluation and consultation, our medical specialists determine who is most likely to respond effectively to growth hormone therapy.
Duration varies by child and depends on factors such as growth plate status, age, and stage of puberty. Progress is reviewed every six months to determine whether to continue treatment.
A monthly online check-in is required to review your child’s height and weight. Measurements should be taken accurately at home and reported to the clinic. Blood tests are performed every six months for ongoing monitoring, and hand X-rays to assess bone age are done every 6 to 12 months, depending on growth plate status.
Availability depends on your state of residence. We are actively expanding our telehealth services to additional states. Please contact us for details specific to your location.

Every child responds differently. Some show rapid improvement in growth velocity, while others progress more gradually. Our role is to monitor carefully and provide realistic guidance without promising specific outcomes.

Most children adapt quickly. The injections use very thin needles, and families receive training to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Let’s Support Your
Child’s Growth Together

We’re here to support your child’s growth journey every step of the way.

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