Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children	

GH deficiency causes short stature in children and sometimes retards bone development. It occurs most often as an isolated congenital defect (for example, isolated GHRH deficiency), in association with a craniopharyngioma or pituitary tumour, or after brain irradiation for malignancy. Effective treatment with parenteral biosynthetic GH or GHRH is now available, although the potential for catch-up growth decreases as the child becomes older. Early diagnosis is therefore essential. At birth, these children look normal. Growth failure can, however, usually be recognised between one and three years of age, but may only be detected much later.