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Information relating to specific disease areas aligned to Pfizer’s portfolio and other resources designed for Pfizer medicines.

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Information on how to access Genotropin® (somatropin, rbe) prescribing information and adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page.

Paediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency 

Prevalence1

The prevalence of paediatric growth hormone (GH) deficiency is estimated to be between 1 in 3500 and 1 in 4000 children. However, in about 50% of children the cause of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is unknown (idiopathic growth hormone deficiency).

Causes2

GHD in children may result from primary pituitary or hypothalamic disorders. Possible causes include:

  • Idiopathic (most common aetiology when no organic cause is identified)
  • Genetic abnormalities of GH production or GH releasing hormone (GHRH)
  • Congenital malformations
  • Destruction or disruption around the pituitary/hypothalamus (most likely due to tumours, radiation treatment or injury)

Clinical presentation3

When there is evidence of short stature (>2 SD below matched population mean), patients should be examined and history checked:

Presence of

History of

Hypoglycaemia

Cranial irradiation

Prolonged jaundice

Heads trauma

Microphallus

Central nervous system infection

Traumatic delivery

Consanguinity and/or an affected family member
Craniofacial midline abnormalities

Common clinical features4,5

  • Less muscle bulk 
  • Short stature
  • Increased body fat
  • Abnormal height velocity
  • Delayed bone age
  • Normal skeletal proportions
  • Small face and underdeveloped nasal bridge
  • Increased skinfold thickness
  • Small genitalia in boys

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Paediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency

Find out more about how Genotropin can help your patients with paediatric growth hormone deficiency on our Genotropin brand site

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Patient Transition

Learn more about how you can transition your patients from paediatric to adult care on our Genotropin brand site

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References:

​​​​​​​1. NICE Guidance [TA188]. Human growth hormone (somatropin) for the treatment of growth failure in children.
2. Reh CS, Geffner ME. Clin Pharmacol 2010, 2: 111-122. 
3. Growth Hormone Research Society. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000, 85: 3990-3993.
4. Vimpani GC, et al. Arch Dis Child 1981, 56: 922–928.
5. PG Textbook of Pediatrics: Volume 3: Systemic Disorders and Social Pediatrics By Piyush Gupta, PSN Menon, Siddarth Ramji, Rakesh Lodha 
PP-GEN-GBR-0903. March 2021

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Learn more about how Genotropin can help your patients with adult growth hormone deficiency on our Genotropin brand site

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Turner Syndrome

Watch Dr Helen Turner talk about the early diagnosis of Turner syndrome, one of the most common chromosomal disorders in women

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 Genotropin Homecare

Pfizer offers a range of homecare and patient support services to Genotropin patients

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NICE technology appraisal guidance

Find out more about NICE’s technology appraisals on the use of Genotropin

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Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store

Adverse events should also be reported to Pfizer Medical Information on 01304 616161

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PP-PFE-GBR-2688. December 2020

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