Growth hormone in short children: beyond medicine?
The indications for growth hormone (GH) treatment in non-GH-deficient short children are in debate, with some arguing that this treatment does not belong solely in the medical domain. We describe three different approaches to the issue, and argue that neither a disease-oriented nor client-oriented approach is sufficient. Both lead to withdrawal of medical interventions or to an undesirable application.


CONCLUSIONS
An approach focusing on suffering as an indication for treatment of short stature is the most appropriate. The challenge is to develop proper tools by which to evaluate suffering and the efficacy of GH treatment in these children in order to relieve or prevent suffering.
Department of Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Care, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
L L
LL
Bolt
D
D
Mul
D004644:Emotions; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical
D019382:Human Growth Hormone