Growth hormone abuse rising as parents seek to put children head and shoulders above peers

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Growth hormone abuse rising as parents seek to put children head and shoulders above peers

Published: 10 Oct. 2024, 16:59 Updated: 10 Oct. 2024, 18:27

syringe [JOONGANG ILBO]

Growth hormone abuse is on the rise as parents seek to boost their children's height, resulting in an increase in side effects.

The market for growth hormones reached 444.4 billion won ($329.3 million) last year, a significant increase from 148.8 billion won in 2019, according to a report disclosed by Democratic Party lawmaker Park Hee-seung, based on data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. This represents an annual growth rate of 31 percent.

This surge is partly due to the misconception that the growth hormone shots — which are medical treatments for growth disorders — are a height growth treatment, prompting parents to have their average-height children receive them.

Kim, a parent from Seongnam City, Gyeonggi, recently took his middle school child to a growth clinic. Despite his son having an average height of 157 centimeters (5.1 feet) for a 13-year-old, Kim sought treatment because his son felt intimidated by taller peers. "His friends are so tall, with some already surpassing 170 centimeters," Kim said. "Although my son is not abnormally short, I visited the clinic because he became intimidated about his height since enrolling in middle school."

The clinic's doctor recommended that Kim's son take regular growth hormone shots for at least a year. "Although a medical expense of around 1 miilion won per month is quite burdensome, we decided to pursue the treatment, thinking it’s something that cannot be addressed once time passes," Kim said.

The surge in hormone injection abuse has also led to a rise in reported side effects, with cases soaring from 436 cases in 2019 to 1,626 last year — a 3.7-fold increase. Reported side effects include complications at injection sites, skin and subcutaneous tissue damage such as rashes, pruritus and bruises, as well as neurological disorders like headaches, dizziness, sleepiness and hypoesthesia.

"Growth hormone injections are medical treatments prescribed for specific growth disorders,” said lawmaker Park. “Administering these shots to an average growing person over extended periods poses risks, including acromegaly, edema and joint pain. No comprehensive studies have yet been conducted on the efficacy and safety of these injections."

syringe [JOONGAGN ILBO]

Health Insurance does not cover the injections except for those who meet specific criteria, such as lacking growth hormone, being in the lowest three percent of height for their age, or having conditions like chronic renal failure and Turner syndrome that may delay growth. Up to 90 percent of treatment costs — which typically range from 800,000 won to 1,000,000 won — can be covered for those who meet the criteria.

Experts warn against the excessive use of growth hormone shots.

"The Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology is concerned about the rapid expansion of the growth hormone shot market,” said Prof. Chae Hyeon-Uk of the Pediatric Department at Gangnam Severance Hospital. "People should avoid indiscriminately seeking shots simply for height growth."

He also warned of possible severe side effects, which in rare cases can include significant spikes in blood sugar, as well as scoliosis and a potential link to tumors.

Chae emphasized that a health care professional must prescribe these shots to patients following thorough examinations, including assessments of the patient's growth plate and hormone levels through regular checkups.

Chae recommends professional evaluation only for those "who fall among the three shortest individuals in a group of 100 children" or for children "showing early secondary sexual characteristics, such as girls experiencing breast development at ages 8 to 9 or boys developing pubic hair or enlarged testicles by ages 9 to 10."

BY ESTHER RHEE,WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]