Are you worried about your daughter or son showing signs of puberty before their due date? For example, breast development before the age of 8 in a girl, or a deepening of the voice before the age of 9 in a boy. This is medically known as ``Central Precocious Puberty''. Don't worry, there are effective treatments that can help control this condition. In this article, we will talk about a special implant that is placed under the skin and used as such a treatment.
What is this Histrelin implant (Supprelin LA)?
Simply put, it's a small, thin tube that contains a drug called Histrelin . This implant is implanted by a doctor under the skin of the child's upper arm in a very simple way.
Now let's see how this works. Your child's puberty is controlled by a special hormone released by the brain. It is called `(Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)` or `(GnRH)`. This medicine called Histrelin works in the same way as that `(GnRH)` hormone. When this implant enters the body, it releases the medicine Histrelin. Due to this, the hormonal process that controls puberty in the body is temporarily stopped. It is like pressing a 'pause' button to stop something for a while. Due to this, the process of premature puberty in the child's body is controlled.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before starting this treatment for your child, it is extremely important to discuss some information about your child's and your family's health history with the doctor. This information will help determine how appropriate this treatment is for your child.
| Situation to be concerned about | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Because this medicine can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Mental illness | This medication can sometimes affect mental states. |
| Epilepsy / Seizures | To check for possible interactions between the drug and the medical condition. |
| Suicidal thoughts or attempts (in the family or child) | Be especially careful with this medication, as it can cause mood changes. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to Histrelin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives. |
| Being pregnant or breastfeeding | Although this is a treatment for children, it is important for the doctor to know the complete medical history. |
How do I use this implant?
This is not something you can do at home. This is a simple procedure performed by a doctor in a clinic or hospital .
- Implantation: This is implanted under the skin of the child's upper arm, by a surgeon. This is not a major surgery, so the child will not feel much pain.
- Aftercare: After the implant is placed, the area should be kept clean and dry for 24 hours . Also, avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for a week .
- Plaster: The surgical strips (like plasters) that are applied to the implant site will come off on their own in a few days. Do not try to remove them by force.
- Duration: This implant is usually valid for 12 months . After a year, the doctor will remove the old one and insert a new one if treatment is still needed.
Remember, this can be given to children as young as 2 years old, for special medical reasons. But that's all up to your doctor to decide.
Things to consider during treatment
- Changes in the first few weeks: During the first few weeks of treatment, you may experience some signs of puberty. This may include breast enlargement and a change in voice. Don't worry about it. This is normal. These signs will subside after a few days and the condition will start to improve. If these signs do not subside after a few weeks, talk to your doctor.
- Implant slippage: Very rarely, the implant can come out of the insertion site. You may be able to see it, or it may come out without you even realizing it. If you think your implant has come out, call your doctor right away.
- Blood sugar: This medicine may increase blood sugar levels. If your child has diabetes, ask the doctor if they need to make any changes to their diet or diabetes medication.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Watch out for the symptoms below.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Severe headache | A headache that is worse than a normal headache, unbearable. |
| Mental changes | Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other unusual mental changes. |
| Seizures | A sudden seizure. |
| Vomiting, vision changes | Persistent vomiting or blurred vision. |
| Pain at the site of the implant | Severe pain or swelling that exceeds normal levels. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, extreme fatigue. |
| 🙂 Usually not serious (but if it persists, tell your doctor ) | |
| Minor changes in the implant site | Redness, slight itching, or discomfort in the area. |
Can there be problems with other medications?
Yes, some medications can interact with Histrelin. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements your child is taking. Especially the following:
- Female hormones (birth control pills, patches, etc.)
- Male hormones (such as testosterone)
- Medications for mental illness
- Supplements containing hormones like DHEA
Since this is a doctor-administered injection, there is no chance of an overdose. However, if you suspect that something has happened, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Histrelin injection is an effective treatment for controlling central precocious puberty in children.
- This is a small implant that is implanted under the skin and lasts for 12 months.
- Before starting treatment, tell the doctor about all of your child's health information and medications.
- It is normal for puberty symptoms to temporarily increase during the first weeks of treatment, so don't worry about it.
- If you experience any severe side effects such as severe headache, mental changes, or seizures, seek medical advice immediately.
- It is imperative to see the doctor at the appointed time and check the child's condition.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න