School's Out — But Your Child's Growth Should Continue

Summer opens up new possibilities for both kids and parents. For children, it's a well-deserved break from the classroom. For parents, it's a great time to enjoy more moments together — and a perfect opportunity to schedule your child's pediatrician check-up appointment. If your child is looking forward to participating in an extracurricular activity, like joining a sports team, band, etc., a physical is a key step to ensure they're fit to play, and their growth is on track. It's also a great time to bring up any health concerns and ensure they're addressed well ahead of the fall season.

Did you know that growth is an important indicator of a child's health? If a child is noticeably shorter than his/her peers or isn't growing as expected, it may be a good time to bring this up to their doctor. Such patterns could sometimes be associated with an underlying medical condition such as pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

What is pediatric GHD?

GHD is a rare condition in which the body doesn't produce enough growth hormone, and in children, may lead to slower growth and development. A doctor may consider it for children whose height remains below the normal range (typically below the 3rd percentile) or whose growth pattern shows a significant drop across percentile curves over time.

Though uncommon — affecting an estimated 1 in every 4,000 to 10,000 children globally — GHD can result in additional health consequences if left untreated. Without proper treatment, GHD in children may lead to short stature (height), delayed puberty, reduced bone density and lower energy levels.

"Pediatric GHD can affect more than just a child's height. If a child is growing much slower than expected — especially if they're below the 3rd percentile or dropping on the growth chart — it should be brought up with their pediatrician," said Jose Gamez, M.D., pediatric endocrinologist in McAllen, Texas. "Beyond being shorter than their peers, children with GHD may also have muscle weakness, bone and metabolism issues, learning difficulties and emotional or social challenges that can impact their overall well-being."

When to ask your child's doctor about pediatric GHD

If you notice that your child is significantly shorter than their peers, growing more slowly than expected, or if their growth has noticeably slowed or stopped, it may be worth bringing up these concerns with their doctor. It's also important to speak up if there are other concerns, such as delayed puberty, fatigue or low energy.

Pediatricians typically monitor growth patterns during annual visits and may refer a child to a medical specialist that focuses on growth-related hormones — such as a pediatric endocrinologist — if their growth isn't developing as expected. A pediatric endocrinologist can conduct a more thorough examination to determine a plan of action based on the child's age, overall health and other factors.

Early diagnosis is critical because once a child's bones stop growing — when the soft areas at the ends of their bones harden — treatment to help them grow taller is no longer effective. This usually happens between ages 13-15 for girls and 15-17 for boys. Growth hormone therapy is most effective when initiated early, as a longer duration of treatment is often associated with a higher growth rate. That's why it's important to talk to your child's doctor as soon as growth concerns arise.

What are options to manage pediatric GHD?

Historically, daily injections of somatropin, a drug that is similar to naturally occurring growth hormone, have been the standard of care for pediatric GHD for decades. While effective, taking a daily injection may present challenges for families, including the fear of needles, treatment fatigue, logistical barriers such as storage and refrigeration, and missed doses, particularly when routines are disrupted or when families travel.

Attempting to address these challenges, long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) treatments were developed. While daily growth hormone therapy may require up to 365 injections each year, a once-weekly LAGH could reduce that number to 52. That's more than 300 fewer injections each year for a child.

A once-weekly treatment option available to patients

SKYTROFA^® (lonapegsomatropin-tcgd) is a once-weekly FDA-approved prescription medication for the replacement of growth hormone in children 1 year old or older who weigh at least 26 pounds (11.5 kilograms) with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Its award-winning auto-injector was designed with patients in mind. It includes innovative features such as an integrated needle guard that helps conceal the needle during injections.

SKYTROFA should not be taken if your child is allergic to it or any of its ingredients. It should also not be used if they have certain serious conditions, such as a critical illness after surgery or trauma, eye problems caused by diabetes, cancer, closed bone growth plates, Prader-Willi syndrome with obesity or have breathing or airway problems. For more detailed safety information, please refer to the end of this article.

"One of the most important things parents can do is make sure their child attends their annual physical," said Gamez. "It's during these routine visits that physicians can track growth and spot early signs of conditions like growth hormone deficiency. Pediatric GHD affects more than height, it can also affect metabolism, bone development, energy and emotional well-being. The earlier we can diagnose, the more treatment options we have, including long-acting therapies that can make care more manageable for families. It all starts with that check-up."

Annual pediatric check-ups are a great way to monitor a child's growth and overall health. Scheduling a physical over the summer gives families the opportunity to ask questions and make sure their child's health is on track — helping kids grow, stay healthy and thrive year-round.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND USE

What is SKYTROFA^® used for?

SKYTROFA is a prescription medication for the replacement of growth hormone in children 1 year old or older who weigh at least 26 pounds (11.5 kilograms) with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

What Warnings should I know about SKYTROFA?

There have been reports of death when using treatments like SKYTROFA in patients with critical illness due to complications following certain surgeries, severe injury, or in people with respiratory failure.

Severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and swelling underneath the skin, have been reported during use with treatments like SKYTROFA. Seek medical help right away if the following happen after administering SKYTROFA: hives, trouble breathing, and swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or mouth. Do not use if there is any history of hypersensitivity reactions to any ingredients in SKYTROFA.

Childhood cancer survivors treated with brain/head radiation are at increased risk of secondary cancers and, as a precaution, need to be monitored for recurrence. Changes in behavior, new headaches, vision disturbances or changes in skin color or changes in birthmarks or moles should be discussed with the healthcare provider.

Children with certain rare genetic causes of short stature have an increased risk of developing cancer. Talk with the healthcare provider about risks and benefits of starting SKYTROFA.

Patients may develop impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 diabetes or have a worsening of diabetes when using SKYTROFA. Dosage of diabetes medicines may need to be adjusted during growth hormone treatment.

Increased pressure in the brain has been reported in a small number of patients taking treatments like SKYTROFA, which can cause changes in vision, headache, nausea or vomiting. Treatment may be reduced or stopped if any of these conditions occur.

SKYTROFA can cause the body to retain fluid which may cause swelling, joint pain, or muscle pain, and usually goes away after treatment is stopped or dose is reduced.

Patients taking SKYTROFA who have or are at risk for pituitary hormone deficiencies may be at risk for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or unmasking of central hypoadrenalism. Patients should be checked regularly for low serum cortisol levels and/or the need to increase the dose of the glucocorticoids they are taking.

Thyroid function should be monitored as low thyroid levels can cause SKYTROFA to not work. Low thyroid hormone levels may become apparent or worsen during SKYTROFA treatment.

In children experiencing rapid growth, limping or hip or knee pain may occur. If a child being treated with SKYTROFA starts to limp or gets hip or knee pain, the child's doctor should be notified and the child should be examined. Children and caregivers should be aware that decreased blood flow to bones may occur with human growth hormone products.

In children experiencing rapid growth, curvature of the spine may worsen, known as scoliosis. Patients with scoliosis should be checked regularly to make sure their scoliosis does not get worse during treatment with SKYTROFA.

SKYTROFA can cause inflammation of the pancreas which may cause pain in the area of the stomach.

SKYTROFA can cause loss of fat tissue around the injection site with continued use. Injection sites should be different each time SKYTROFA is administered to prevent this risk.

SKYTROFA should not be used in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who are very overweight or who have severe breathing problems due to risk of death. SKYTROFA is not indicated for treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome.

You should not use SKYTROFA if you have:

• Critical illness immediately after open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, or accidental trauma, or those with severe breathing problems known as respiratory failure;
• Had a reaction to SKYTROFA or any of its ingredients;
• Bones that have stopped growing;
• Cancer;
• Eye vision problems due to diabetes;
• A condition known as Prader-Willi syndrome and are overweight; have a history of upper airway breathing problems, have sleep apnea, or have severe breathing problems, due to the risk of sudden death

What are the side effects of SKYTROFA?

The most common side effects include viral infection, fever, cough, nausea and vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, stomach area pain, and joint pain and arthritis.

What other medication might interact with SKYTROFA?

Make certain to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take including corticosteroids, estrogen containing products, including certain birth control medications, or medicine for diabetes. These are not all of the drugs that may interact with SKYTROFA.