Which hormone is primarily responsible for growth in children?

Growth hormone (GH) is primarily responsible for growth in children because it stimulates growth plates in bones, leading to an increase in height. GH is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a vital role in the physical development of children by promoting protein synthesis, growth of skeletal muscle, and the elongation of bones.

While other hormones have roles in growth and development, they do not primarily drive the growth process in the same way GH does. For instance, testosterone is important for sexual maturation and muscle growth, but its influence on height is secondary to that of GH. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can inhibit growth if present in excessive amounts, and insulin primarily regulates glucose metabolism and energy use rather than directly promoting growth. Thus, growth hormone is key to ensuring that children grow properly during their developmental years.