There could be any reason that must be causing congenital disabilities. However, many people believe that consuming HGH might be the reason behind birth defects. But the question is, can HGH cause birth defects? Read more to learn more.
HGH or human growth hormones are a component of the body that naturally occurs. It is secreted by the pituitary gland to boost natural human development. This development includes organ growth as well as cell and bone growth.
It also helps to regulate metabolism and the conversion of fat into energy. As a result, HGH plays a critical role in determining overall body size and composition, as well as physical and mental health.
But how does HGH affect pregnancy and birth? Well, a stable range is necessary to ensure successful pregnancy and sound birth.
Women have encountered acromegaly during pregnancy, though. Yet, detection of the abnormal HGH is difficult due to the influence of the placental production on HGH and IGF-1.
Per an article on the PubMed Central publication, it’s been noted that different triggers to acromegaly during pregnancy are easily tackled by advances in medical and surgical procedures.
As such, HGH is a very important aspect of healthy human growth. In fact, a lack of HGH can cause a variety of abnormal growth in children.
Examples typically include, short stature, delayed growth and delayed puberty or other abnormalities related to bone and muscle growth.
However, in reality, there are quite a number of adults who are lacking HGH. This may be due to natural causes happening since birth or later damaged that may have happened to or near the pituitary gland.
Also this can happen due to a genetic disorder, radiation therapy or surgery near the pituitary gland, or as a side effect of certain medications.
As such, these adults need HGH therapy which usually comes in the form of HGH injection which are given subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (into the muscle).
Although it is important to consider that only a limited number of studies have been conducted on the use of HGH injections during pregnancy.
Per an article on the Mayo Clinic publication, limited experiments exist on the use of HGH by expectant females, and its effects on the fetus in humans.
Yet, studies done on animals don’t show adverse outcomes as a result. This means that the presence of HGH in pregnant animals have not revealed any abnormal spike in birth defects.
A study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.
It was led by Dr. Tippi MacKenzie and was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in 2008. This study was conducted in mice to investigate the effects of HGH treatment during pregnancy on fetal development.
The researchers injected pregnant mice with HGH or a saline control, and then analyzed the fetuses at different stages of development.
The study found that HGH treatment during pregnancy led to an increased risk of fetal death and premature birth. Specifically, the researchers found that HGH treatment caused a delay in fetal lung development, which increased the risk of respiratory distress and death.
They also found that HGH treatment led to structural abnormalities in the fetal heart, which could contribute to the increased risk of fetal death.
Additionally, the study found that HGH treatment altered the expression of genes involved in fetal growth and development, which could have long-term effects on offspring health.
Although the mentioned study indicated that human growth hormone (HGH) may pose risks to pregnant women, further research is necessary to confirm these findings and determine its safety.
It should be noted that some studies have suggested that HGH may provide more benefits than risks for pregnant women.
An experiment to assess the effects of GH replacement therapy brought encouraging results. In this study, women with GH deficiency were put on this intervention from conception.
While the majority stopped the GH therapy are different stages of pregnancy, 29.8% continued the replacement therapy throughout their pregnancy.
Per an article on the PubMed Central publication, out of the 54 pregnancies, only 2 reported birth defects.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2004 demonstrated the importance of HGH during pregnancy. In this study, researchers examined the effects of HGH deficiency on fetal growth in pregnant women.
They found that women with HGH deficiency had a significantly higher risk of delivering babies with lower birth weight and smaller head circumference.
The study also showed that administering HGH to these women during pregnancy led to an increase in fetal growth and a decrease in the risk of delivering a smaller baby.
Moreover, HGH injections may also be necessary for pregnant women who have a history of growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome. In these cases, the benefits of HGH supplementation during pregnancy may outweigh the potential risks.
In fact, individuals both female and male who are experiencing HGH deficiency are not suggested to stop their HGH therapy. This is because the effects of dropped HGH levels are far more dangerous than the aide effects of using the injections.
If you are a patient who’s regularly taking HGH injections and are planning to get pregnant, so should tell your professional healthcare provider.
Some suggestions may be made for you, or some adjustments may be necessary to accommodate by taking additional forms of medication and/or supplements to support your pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider may suggest that you stop taking HGH injections temporarily or adjust the dosage to minimize the risk of any adverse effects on the developing fetus.
It is important to note that sudden cessation of HGH injections can have negative effects on the body, so it is essential to work with your healthcare provider to safely transition off of HGH injections if necessary.
They may also monitor your hormone levels and fetal development throughout your pregnancy to ensure everything is progressing as it should.
It’s important to have open communication with your healthcare provider throughout your pregnancy, particularly if you are receiving HGH injections or any other medications.
By doing so, you can ensure that you receive the appropriate care and support to help you have a healthy and successful pregnancy.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Does Hgh Affect Pregnancy?
Introduction
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. It is responsible for the body’s metabolism, growth, and development. When it comes to pregnancy, HGH plays an important role in the development of the fetus. In this paper, we will discuss how HGH affects pregnancy and the potential risks associated with it.
How Does HGH Affect Pregnancy?
HGH is important for the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy. It helps to regulate the body’s metabolism to ensure the fetus is getting enough nutrients and energy. HGH also plays a role in the body’s production of placental hormones, which are essential for a healthy pregnancy.
HGH has been linked to a number of pregnancy complications, including preterm labor, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. It is believed that high levels of HGH during pregnancy can cause the uterus to contract too frequently, leading to preterm labor. Additionally, high HGH levels can lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, which can cause a higher risk of complications for both the mother and the baby.
Potential Risks of HGH During Pregnancy
While HGH is important for a healthy pregnancy, too much of it can be dangerous. High levels of HGH can cause abnormal fetal development, as well as a number of other problems. High HGH levels can also increase the risk of preeclampsia, which is a serious condition that can lead to premature birth and a number of other complications.
It is important to note that HGH levels that are too low can also cause problems during pregnancy. Low HGH levels can lead to slow fetal growth and development, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage.
Conclusion
HGH plays an important role in a healthy pregnancy, but too much or too little of it can cause serious complications. It is important for pregnant women to be aware of the potential risks associated with HGH during pregnancy and take steps to ensure that their HGH levels remain at a healthy level.
