Objectives:

• Recognize approved indications for growth hormone therapy in children
• Discuss the administration of growth hormone

1		A boy of 6 years is brought into the office by his concerned mother due to “growing too slowly.” She has noticed that he is significantly shorter than his classmates at school, and she wants something done about it. She heard a report on the nightly news about a new medication that makes children grow taller and insists on getting it for her son. Both parents want their son to play in the NBA or NFL and believe he will not make it unless he “gets a lot taller really soon.” She informs you in no uncertain terms that if you don’t prescribe this “growing pill” she will just find someone who will. You believe this mother is in need of some education about growth hormone (GH) deficiency. What are the APPROVED indications in children and adolescents for GH replacement therapy?
			A)	Growth hormone deficiency.
			B)	Growth failure due to chronic renal insufficiency, intrauterine growth retardation, Turner syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome.
			C)	Adolescent male who wishes to play basketball but is only 5 foot 9 inches.
			D)	A and B only.
			E)	All of the above.
2		How is growth hormone administered?
			A)	Daily pill.
			B)	Weekly pill.
			C)	Daily injection.
			D)	Weekly infusion.
			E)	None of the above.