SIDE EFFECT

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

COMMENTS

NOTES PERTAINING TO YOUR CHILD

Swelling (Edema)

Puffy hands, arms, legs, feet and face. Wrist pain (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

Usually early in treatment. May be increased in Turner Syndrome

Increased fluid pressure within the brain

Irritability or other changes in behavior. Headache that doesn’t go away, vision changes, vomiting.

Occurs in 1 out of 1,000 GH treated patients. Risk highest in renal failure, steroid use and possibly in the Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Slipped growth plate in hip (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis)

Pain in the knees or hips.  Limp.

Children with GH deficiency, Turner Syndrome, and renal disease seem to have an increased risk prior to and while receiving GH.  Report any signs or symptoms promptly.  Early surgical treatment is needed to protect hips.

High blood sugar

Increased hunger, thirst, urination or unexplained weight loss.

Rare: highest risk in patients with obesity, Turner’s Syndrome or steroid use.

Increased mole growth

Moles grow faster or increase in number.

None have been found to be malignant.  Report any burning, itching, or bleeding of moles.

Cancer of the white blood cells (Leukemia)

Easy bruising/bleeding, pale skin, fatigue, swelling of lymph nodes, fever that doesn’t go away, bone pain.

No evidence for increased risk with isolated GH deficiency. Risk increased with history of cancer, radiation, or certain syndromes

In children with previous cancer, recurrence of an old tumor or presence of a new one

Radiation therapy and some disease states can increase the risk particularly in the central nervous system.

Inflammation of the pancreas

Severe abdominal pain and vomiting.  Jaundice (yellow color of skin).

Increased risk in kidney failure.