For children suspected of having a growth hormone deficiency, a growth
hormone stimulation test is conducted. This involves an exercise test where the
child runs on a treadmill for 10 minutes, with blood samples taken before and
after the exercise. Further tests, such as the glucagon growth hormone
stimulation test or insulin tolerance test, may follow if the initial test
indicates a deficiency.
Treatment varies based on the underlying cause. Growth hormone therapy is an option for certain conditions such as:
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Turner Syndrome
- Chronic renal failure
- Intrauterine growth retardation
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Idiopathic short stature.