Growth treatment strategies to support the initiation and adherence to growth hormone treatment will ensure best possible growth outcomes. There are suggested strategies organized by age group including toddler, school age and teenager.

Growth Treatment Strategies for Toddler/Preschool Age

Before the injection:

• Establish consistent routines.
• Make it clear what you are doing is not a punishment for anything, but rather medicine to help them grow.
• Prepare the injection before getting to your child and give it quickly, prolonging it will make your child more anxious.

During the injection:

• Explain that you are helping your child “hold still” when you have to restrain her.
• Teach your child to relax by closing their eyes, taking a big breath, hugging their favorite toy, etc.

After the injection:

• Cuddle and hug your child to comfort them.
•  Praise your child.
• Allow your child to play to relieve tension.

Growth Treatment Strategies for Young School Age

Before the injection:

• Stick to a consistent routine. If you are injecting doses only 6 days a week, allow them to pick the day off.
• Explain that the injection is medicine to help them grow.
• Let your child pick where the medicine is injected, rotate sites throughout the week.

During the injection:

Let your child take part in the injection process if they wish to do so.

After the injection:

• Encourage your child to talk about any feelings (good or bad) they may have and reward positive behavior.
• Encourage them to take part in the process, for example having them remind you each night about the injection or reminding you about where the new injection will go.

Growth Treatment Strategies for Adolescent

Before the injection:

• Stick to a consistent routine.
•  Be mindful of and respect your teenager’s decisions about whether her friends and/or relatives should know about the therapy or not.

During the injection:

Let your teen take part in the injection as much as she wishes.

After the injection:

• Praise and reward your teenager’s consistent commitment to therapy.
• Encourage them to talk about any feelings or anxieties they may have.

Remember, growth treatment response is individualized. If you have questions about initiating treatment or any questions about the medication, you should speak with your doctor or the pharmaceutical company’s nurse hotline that should have been provided to you.

Links to pharmaceutical companies with the indication for growth treatment of Turner Syndrome

Growth Hormone Companies