Table 3. . Findings from children's and adolescent's parents.
| Topics | Children and adolescents with GHD's parents |
|---|---|
| The first signals of GHD |
n = 65; “I remarked the slowing down by myself and looked for a center of care:” 35 (54%); “The pediatrician remarked the slowing down:” 23 (34%); “The pediatrician underestimated the slowing down:” 7 (11%) |
| The waiting for the diagnosis |
n = 48; “Lived with anxiety and concern:” 26 (55%); “I had many doubts:” 3 (6%); “Lived with tranquility:” 17 (35%); “I was confident and optimistic:” 2 (4%) |
| The communication of the diagnosis |
n = 48; “I was already prepared:” 18 (38%); “I was calm and confident:” 15 (31%); “I was released for the answer:” 1 (2%); “I felt normal:” 2 (4%); “I did not understand:” 3 (6%); “I was sad:” 4 (8%); “I was worried:” 5 (11%) |
| The communication of the therapy |
n = 51; “I was worried and not convinced:” 16 (30%); “I was happy:” 15 (29%); “I was hoping:” 11 (22%); “I was released for the solution:” 9 (18%) |
| The difficulties of the therapy today |
n = 89a); “It is an organizational issue:” 29 (33%); “It is a painful task:” 19 (21%); “The medical visits are demanding:” 7 (8%); “I have to foster my son/daughter:” 6 (7%); “There are psychological consequences on my son/daughter:” 4 (4%); “It is long lasting:” 3 (3%); Other: 11 (13%); None difficulties: 10 (11%) |
| The outcomes of the therapy |
n = 75; “My son/daughter grows up very well:” 10 (13%); “My son/daughter grows up well:” 37 (50%); “My son/daughter grows up enough well:” 7 (9%); “My son/daughter grows up a little:” 12 (16%); “My son/daughter grows up very little:” 1 (1%); Other: 8 (11%) |
| The centers and care teams |
n = 56; “I totally trust the center and the team of care:” 38 (68%); “I trust the center and the team of care:” 17 (30%); “I trust the center and the team of care but not always:” 1 (2%) |
| Expressed fears and worries |
n = 42; “I am worried about the side effects of the therapy:” 28 (67%); “I am afraid the therapy does not work:” 6 (14%); “I am afraid my son feels inferior:” 1 (2%); “I do not know/do not have worries:” 7 (17%) |
| Style of narration | n = 69b); Disease-centered: 23 (25%); between disease/illness-centered: 24 (27%); Illness centered: 44 (48%) |
†The indicated numbers can imply more than one answer from each parent.
‡In not all the stories were possible to use the classification of Kleinman.
GHD: Growth hormone deficiency.