Growth hormone also known as somatotropin or somatropin stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in living organisms. Excess growth hormone is most often caused by a benign tumour of the somatotroph cells of the pituitary gland. Chronic growth hormone excess is associated with increased aldosterone.
Gigantism or excessive growth in stature is the result of secretion of growth hormone in excess. Tall stature may result from hereditary, dietary or other factors. Other causes of too much growth hormone include carney complex, Mc-cune Albright syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, neurofibromatosis, etc. Gigantism refers to abnormally high linear growth due to excessive action of insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) while growth plates are open. Acromegaly is the same disorder of IGF-I excess and occurs after the growth plate cartilage fuses in adulthood. In other words, if excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped; the condition is known as acromegaly.
The excessive growth makes the child very large in comparison to his peers. Otherwise, muscle, bones and rest of the organs follow regular growth pattern. The symptoms include delayed puberty, headache, double vision, weakness, thickening of facial features, increased sweating, irregular periods, enlarged hands and feet, etc. In case of acromegaly the enlargement is due to overgrowth of cartilage, muscle, tissues and skin. Patients with this disorder have a prominent jaw, large hands and feet, as well as enlarged tongue, liver, heart, etc. Some patients with acromegaly even develop diabetes mellitus. Other problems related to this condition may include arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc. Patients are at a high risk of developing tumours of other organs as well such as that of the large intestine. Somatotroph tumours also produce prolactin which may also result in abnormal lactation.
In pituitary gigantism, the growth is gradual but consistent. The affected person may attain a height of eight feet. The two conditions, gigantism and acromegaly are often concurrent. The stature cannot be reduced once gigantism is achieved. Possible complications include hypogonadism, hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. The condition may also result in delayed or early puberty.
Pituitary tumours can be detected by the help of CT scans and MRIs. Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, thyroid hormones, etc. After consulting with a physician, the surgery may be performed to remove the tumour accompanied by radiations. In such cases where surgery cannot remove the tumour completely, medication is advised to cure the condition. Radiation therapy is used to bring the growth hormone to normal levels. However, radiation is also linked to learning disabilities, obesity and other psychological changes. Dopamine agonists have also been used to reduce growth hormone release.
Growth hormone also affects the growth of endocrine and visceral organs along with skeletal, cardiac muscle, skin and connective tissue. . GH-induced increases of aldosterone potentially contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in acromegalic patients. Since gigantism occurs during childhood, parents should be alert of any signs of excessive or abnormal growth.
Gigantism or excessive growth in stature is the result of secretion of growth hormone in excess. Tall stature may result from hereditary, dietary or other factors. Other causes of too much growth hormone include carney complex, Mc-cune Albright syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, neurofibromatosis, etc. Gigantism refers to abnormally high linear growth due to excessive action of insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) while growth plates are open. Acromegaly is the same disorder of IGF-I excess and occurs after the growth plate cartilage fuses in adulthood. In other words, if excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped; the condition is known as acromegaly.
The excessive growth makes the child very large in comparison to his peers. Otherwise, muscle, bones and rest of the organs follow regular growth pattern. The symptoms include delayed puberty, headache, double vision, weakness, thickening of facial features, increased sweating, irregular periods, enlarged hands and feet, etc. In case of acromegaly the enlargement is due to overgrowth of cartilage, muscle, tissues and skin. Patients with this disorder have a prominent jaw, large hands and feet, as well as enlarged tongue, liver, heart, etc. Some patients with acromegaly even develop diabetes mellitus. Other problems related to this condition may include arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc. Patients are at a high risk of developing tumours of other organs as well such as that of the large intestine. Somatotroph tumours also produce prolactin which may also result in abnormal lactation.
In pituitary gigantism, the growth is gradual but consistent. The affected person may attain a height of eight feet. The two conditions, gigantism and acromegaly are often concurrent. The stature cannot be reduced once gigantism is achieved. Possible complications include hypogonadism, hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. The condition may also result in delayed or early puberty.
Pituitary tumours can be detected by the help of CT scans and MRIs. Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, thyroid hormones, etc. After consulting with a physician, the surgery may be performed to remove the tumour accompanied by radiations. In such cases where surgery cannot remove the tumour completely, medication is advised to cure the condition. Radiation therapy is used to bring the growth hormone to normal levels. However, radiation is also linked to learning disabilities, obesity and other psychological changes. Dopamine agonists have also been used to reduce growth hormone release.
Growth hormone also affects the growth of endocrine and visceral organs along with skeletal, cardiac muscle, skin and connective tissue. . GH-induced increases of aldosterone potentially contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in acromegalic patients. Since gigantism occurs during childhood, parents should be alert of any signs of excessive or abnormal growth.
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