"Anything you can do, I can do bigger?": the ethics and equity of growth hormone for small normal children. Issue 3 (21st February 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gill, D G
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 91:Issue 3(2006)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2006-02-21
• Subjects: growth hormone -- ethics; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2005.081778
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : This paper argues against the use of growth hormone (GH) for small normal children ("idiopathic" short stature) with the following considerations: ethical (philosophical) grounds, cost-economic implications, and the rationale for treating normal physiological variation with a potent pharmacological agent. The author would prefer to see health and economic resources being directed to correct nutritional and environmental deprivation among underprivileged groups in preference to providing GH injections for small normal children.