What is Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency is a medical condition, caused by dysfunction of the pituitary gland in which the body does not produce enough growth hormone.
Growth hormone also called somatotropin is a polypeptide hormone which stimulates growth cell production and cell reproduction.
Who is more prone to Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Children with a complete absence of growth hormone secretion usually present before reaching the age of 3 years.
In adults, the age of presentation usually occurs between the fourth and fifth decades of life and can be of any sex.
What is the classification of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency can be partial or complete. It can be congenital or acquired.
Mainly of two types:
• Hypopituitarism
• Panhypopituitarism
What are the causes of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
The following may be the causes of GHD:
• Mutation of specific gene
• Congenital diseases such as Turner syndrome
• Congenital malformation involving the pituitary e.g posterior pituitary ectopia
• Chronic renal insufficiency
• Intracranial tumors
• Some infants who are small for gestational age
• Autoimmune inflammation
What are the signs and symptoms of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
In Childhood:
• Reduced male penis size.
• Hypoglycemia
• Exaggerated jaundice
• Delayed physical maturation
• Delayed puberty
In adulthood:
Recognized effects include:
• Increased 5 alpha-reductase
• Reduced sex hormone-binding globulin
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Baldness in men
• Reduced bone mass and osteoporosis
• Reduced energy
• Impaired concentration and memory loss
• Increased body fat particularly around the waistline
• Increased levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen
What are the investigations of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
• Height, weight and growth chart are to be recorded and monitored after a physical examination
• Hand X-ray can determine bone age.
• Stimulation test
• MRI of the Head
What is the treatment for Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Surgical intervention may be required in certain cases of Pituitary tumours and some of congenital anomalies.
What is the prognosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
In childhood:
A severely deficient child will begin to grow faster within months when treated with growth hormone.
In adulthood:
GH treatment can confer several measurable benefits to severely GH-deficient adults, such as enhanced energy and strength, and improved bone density.
What is the differential diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Hypothyroidism
What are the complications of Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency causes short stature and delayed puberty if left untreated.
What are the commonly indicated Homeopathic remedies for Growth Hormone Deficiency?
Baryta Carb
Silicea
