Long-term growth suppression

To fulfill the needs for long term stability of a biological material, the optimum range of water activity lies between 0.20 and 0.35, This area represents the best compromise between lipid oxidation and non-enzymatic browning. Enzymatic browning is suppressed under these conditions, and growth of microorganisms is impossible. 

Long-term suppression of growth Suppression of growth has been reported with long-term use in children. Interrupt treatment for patients who are not growing or gaining weight as expected. 

When thyroid therapy is used not only to replace deficiency but also to prevent the growth of remnants of a differentiated thyroid carcinoma, a suppressive dosage is used, aiming at T4 concentrations in the high reference range and an undetectable TSH concentration or at least one that is below the lower end of the reference range, as measured by two-sided assays. Such therapy is warranted because of its long-term safety, efficacy, and tolerance, but some additional therapy for osteoporosis prevention should be considered. 

Q7 Side effects of methylphenidate are appetite suppression, nausea, abdominal pain, nervousness, irritability and insomnia. The patient s blood pressure needs to be checked as use of the drug may involve headaches and dizziness. In the long term, the medication may affect a child s height and weight and his growth should be monitored during prolonged treatment. The effectiveness of the medication should also be reassessed before the onset of puberty. 

Long-term stimulant use may be associated with growth suppression in children (controversial)... 

Alternate-day therapy can prove useful for such conditions as chronic uveitis that require long-term systemic administration. This approach has also been advocated for treatment of chronic conditions in children because it minimizes growth suppression.The alternate-day regimen has not been widely accepted, and modifications have been suggested. Clinical experience also indicates that this treatment method is not as effective as divided daily doses, particularly in severe ocular inflammatory conditions. Adrenal gland suppression and other side effects associated with systemic therapy can still occur with the alternate-day regimen. 

Levothyroxine has been used in the treatment of nontoxic nodular goiter. In such patients it suppresses TSH secretion, and treatment is given on the assumption that nodular (like normal) thyroid tissue growth is dependent on TSH. The long-term value of levothyroxine in these patients remains unproven, and withdrawal of therapy leads to return of the goitre. Levothyroxine should not be used to treat obesity (see Obesity). 

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