Lonapegsomatropin for treating growth hormone deficiency in children and adolescents

Lonapegsomatropin is currently approved (licensed) for the treatment of growth failure in children and adolescents due to insufficient endogenous (produced in the body) growth hormone secretion (growth hormone deficiency (GHD)). GHD is a condition caused by a severe shortage of growth hormone, sometimes even a complete absence of growth hormone, in the body. Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland, a small organ in the brain. A lack of growth hormone will restrict the child’s growth, resulting in a height below average. GHD can be present at birth or develop later. Rarely, some types of GHD are inherited. Potential causes of GHD could be the pituitary gland not developing properly during pregnancy, or head injury, tumours, radiotherapy or surgery later on in childhood. Symptoms include short stature, being overweight, and delayed tooth development. Current treatment of GHD is with a daily or weekly injection of growth hormone.