Safety of Growth Hormone Treatment

Growth hormone (GH) is being used in the treatment of GH deficiency and in the treatment of other conditions with increasing frequency. Several uncommon potentially adverse events including idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), increase in the number of pigmented nevi, gynecomastia, scoliosis, insulin resistance and a possible increase in malignancy have been associated with GH treatment. Despite its potential adverse effects, GH has had a good safety record up to now. This review will focus on the potential side effects of GH treatment in GH and non-GH deficient conditions.