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Pediatric Endocrinology pp 137–148Cite as

Management of Adult with Childhood-Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

The patient with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (COGHD) with growth as the major endpoint of therapy during childhood presents a number of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges once the pediatric indication for treatment ends. This period of going from the pediatric indication to the adult indication has been referred to as the transition period. Not all children entering the transition period remain persistently growth hormone deficient (GHD). These are predominantly in the “idiopathic” COGHD category, while the patients with severe pituitary damage represent the patients who almost always remain GH deficient. Preparation for diagnosing and treating these patients is the subject of this report. The stage for informing the patient and his or her family must remain with the pediatrician taking care of the patient during the pediatric treatment period. “Transitioning” the patient to the adult indication requires consultation even before the pediatric indication is completed so that the patient and family can come to an informed decision to continue or discontinue GH therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA

    David Michael Cook M.D., B.S.

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  1. David Michael Cook M.D., B.S.
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Correspondence to David Michael Cook M.D., B.S. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, 21287, Maryland, USA

    Sally Radovick

  2. , Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant St., Buffalo, 14222, New York, USA

    Margaret H. MacGillivray

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Cook, D.M. (2013). Management of Adult with Childhood-Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency. In: Radovick, S., MacGillivray, M. (eds) Pediatric Endocrinology. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-395-4_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-395-4_8

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-394-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-395-4

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