Re: Message for Kimc: Re Scoliosis/ghr

[Guest guest]

Judy, I am not Kim C, but I am writing because my daughter is on GH

and was diagnosed recently with scoliosis. We met with the Chief of

Orthopedics at the children's hospital, and then spoke with both Dr.

Stanhope (RSS guru in London) and DR. Harbison in New York.

The consensus from everyone was that this is a decision that is

specific to the child. However, the info they gave me about

is as follows: scoliosis is probably somehow genetically imprinted

in a child (at least the " potential " for) and things like leg length

discrepancy can exacerbate that potential.

The scoliosis known for adolescents typically occurs in periods of

rapid growth. So, a child who is on growth hormone and suddenly grows

4 inches in a year instead of the normal 2? They may develop

scoliosis. However, the ortho doc explained that the same child would

have developed that scoliosis later as a teenager -- the GH

isn't " causing " GH, just making it occur earlier.

With our daughter, the scoliosis developed in the last year, FIVE

years after she started GH. Furthermore, her rapid growth was only in

years 1 & 2, and some extra growth in year 3. But the last 2 years

have been pretty normal or slightly above normal. So all 3 agreed

that stopping GH did NOT make sense. IF the scoliosis developed in

Year 1 or 2, then they would probably suggest stopping it, as she

would continue to have that rapid growth which would cause the

scoliosis to accelerate.

I hope that I have made sense here. I will try and go back and find

your original email to see if it says when your son started GH.

Write me if you have any questions. My daughter just turned 10. Her

curve was at 12 degrees. Checkup in April. Jenn

>

> Sorry Kim,1 more question-Has your son been taken off the growth

> hormone at all because of the scoliosis and /or kyphosis? As Jack

has

> been on it continuously since he was 2,I feel abit apprehensive now

> I've been told to stop it until we've seen the specialist. I realize

a

> few weeks shouldn't hurt but if its a long time I find that quite

> worrying.

> Dr Stanhope said some kids keep on growing quite well even when they

> come off of it.

> Thanks

> Judy.

>