A person who is significantly below average height is said to have a short stature. Growth hormone produced in pituitary gland is responsible for the normal growth of a person. Growth hormone deficiency is a complex problem that varies from person to person. Growth hormone is essentially a protein located near the base of the brain and attached to the hypothalamus. If the pituitary gland is malformed, it means it can’t secrete the growth hormone. Growth hormone deficiency results when the pituitary organ is unable to produce growth hormone to stimulate the normal growth of a person.
Growth hormone deficiency maybe partial i.e. growth hormone produced is insufficient or the deficiency can be total i.e. no growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland. The deficiency may occur during infancy or later in childhood. A child’s growth is one of the best indications of his proper growth. However, with early detection and treatment, a child can reach a normal height. Additional complications associated with growth hormone deficiency include decreased bone mineral density and energy level. Children with growth hormone deficiency are smaller in height than those of same age and sex. In some cases, the puberty may come late or may not come at all.
Damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus is the main cause of less secretion of growth hormone. The abnormalities may have occurred before the child was born or after maybe acquired after birth. Tumours in brain, severe head injury, malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems and various autoimmune conditions are responsible for growth hormone deficiency in acquired cases. Growth hormone deficiency has different effects at different ages. Proper diagnose at early stages and subsequent treatment may help the child to overcome this disease, which is not a disease in itself, to a large extent. Growth hormone can be measured in a blood sample and a physical examination can be conducted to identify the sign and symptoms. One must review their child’s growth chart with a physician. Regular check-ups also help.
Common signs and symptoms include immature appearance in comparison to peers, prominent forehead and an underdeveloped stature. However, growth hormone doesn’t have any effect on a child’s intelligence. A person with growth hormone deficiency is observed to be lethargic. Other symptoms include lack of energy or fatigue, decreased sexual performance, muscle weakness, sleep problems, dizziness, low blood sugar, weight gain, etc. Physiological symptoms include shyness, nervousness, anxiety, depression, etc. short parents tend to have short children. If a kid appears to have constitutional growth delay, then a physician may take his bone X-ray. These kids are often referred to as ‘late bloomers’. Not taking adequate amount of proteins, calories and vital nutrients can cause slow growth as well as other chronic diseases. People with sickle cell anaemia may also grow and develop slowly. At adult ages, it is normal for the pituitary glands to diminish the secretion of growth hormone. Therefore, physicians distinguish between the natural reduction of growth hormones and the true deficiency.
Growth hormone deficiency maybe partial i.e. growth hormone produced is insufficient or the deficiency can be total i.e. no growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland. The deficiency may occur during infancy or later in childhood. A child’s growth is one of the best indications of his proper growth. However, with early detection and treatment, a child can reach a normal height. Additional complications associated with growth hormone deficiency include decreased bone mineral density and energy level. Children with growth hormone deficiency are smaller in height than those of same age and sex. In some cases, the puberty may come late or may not come at all.
Damage to the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus is the main cause of less secretion of growth hormone. The abnormalities may have occurred before the child was born or after maybe acquired after birth. Tumours in brain, severe head injury, malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems and various autoimmune conditions are responsible for growth hormone deficiency in acquired cases. Growth hormone deficiency has different effects at different ages. Proper diagnose at early stages and subsequent treatment may help the child to overcome this disease, which is not a disease in itself, to a large extent. Growth hormone can be measured in a blood sample and a physical examination can be conducted to identify the sign and symptoms. One must review their child’s growth chart with a physician. Regular check-ups also help.
Common signs and symptoms include immature appearance in comparison to peers, prominent forehead and an underdeveloped stature. However, growth hormone doesn’t have any effect on a child’s intelligence. A person with growth hormone deficiency is observed to be lethargic. Other symptoms include lack of energy or fatigue, decreased sexual performance, muscle weakness, sleep problems, dizziness, low blood sugar, weight gain, etc. Physiological symptoms include shyness, nervousness, anxiety, depression, etc. short parents tend to have short children. If a kid appears to have constitutional growth delay, then a physician may take his bone X-ray. These kids are often referred to as ‘late bloomers’. Not taking adequate amount of proteins, calories and vital nutrients can cause slow growth as well as other chronic diseases. People with sickle cell anaemia may also grow and develop slowly. At adult ages, it is normal for the pituitary glands to diminish the secretion of growth hormone. Therefore, physicians distinguish between the natural reduction of growth hormones and the true deficiency.
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