The influence of low stature on the psychosocial re presentation and growth hormone utilization

The aim of this review is explore the psychosocial aspects of height and the growth hormone (GH) replacement treatment in order to judge the extension of the validity of the latter. For that we juxtaposed the accessibility to this treatment and the necessity involved, and it was observed that this necessity is a direct consequence of an existing socially valued standard of height and of prejudice against height outside this standard, even when the person is healthy. People with heights below this standard search for this treatment for fear of suffering some kind of stigmatization, even when they have no hormone deficiency. Thus, more people are exposed to the expectations and frustrations involved in the treatment as it does not always have the expected results. © Ciencias & Cognicao 2004; Vol. 02: 50-60. Ciencias & Cognicao 2004; Vol 02: 50-60 © Ciencias & Cognicao Submetido em 27 de Junho de 2004 | Aceito em 15 de Julho de 2004 | ISSN 1806-5821 Publicado on line 31 de Julho de 2004

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