Growth hormone deficiency secondary prevention

Patients who are receiving growth hormone therapy should be followed up 2-4 times per year. Growth rate usually increases during the first year of treatment, with an average increase of 8-10 cm/year. A slow growth rate more than expected should be investigated to exclude other causes such as hypothyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease.

Effective measures for the secondary prevention of growth hormone deficiency include:

• Patients who are receiving growth hormone therapy should be followed up 2-4 times per year.
• The most important reasons for follow-up are to monitor growth progress and to adjust growth hormone dosage.
• Follow-up may also be needed to assure patient compliance with the treatment.
• Growth rate usually increases during the first year of treatment, with an average increase of 8-10 cm/year.
• Progressive growth slows over the next several years.
• A slow growth rate more than expected should be investigated to exclude other causes such as hypothyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease.

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