Gigantism is a term for abnormal growth in height in children caused by too much growth hormone. Gigantism in children can begin at any age before the growth plates in the long bones of the body close, usually by the early twenties. It is often quite dramatic because parents typically notice their children's growth and because the growth plates in the arms and legs respond quickly to growth hormone (Frey, 2009. p.422). There are only about a hundred known cases of gigantism reported in medical journals. There are about 3 in one million has it. It is a rare disorder and is not likely to increase in number over the next few decades. Based on the studies, males and females are equally affected by gigantism, as well as all races and ethnic groups (Frey, 2009, p.423).
A benign (noncancerous) tumor in the pituitary gland, is almost always the cause of gigantism. The pituitary gland, which is a peanut-shaped gland that lies at the base of the brain behind the nose, makes hormones that control many functions in your body. Some tasks managed by the gland include temperature control, sexual development, growth metabolism, and urine production. When a tumor grows on the pituitary gland, the gland makes more growth hormone than the body needs (McGurgan, 2012). Other disease, such as, McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, multiple endocrine neoplasa type 1, and neurofibromatosis may also contribute to the cause of gigantism (McGurgan, 2012). Other probable cause, which is very rare, is that the individual has an oversupply of a protein that increases the activity of a normal supply of growth hormone (Frey, 2009. p.424).
If a child has gigantism, you may notice that he or she is much larger than other children of the same age. Rapid increa...
... middle of paper ...
...sed to treat gigantism, once its specific cause is diagnosed. The goal of this treatment with medications may include shrinking the pituitary mass, restoring secretory patterns and serum levels to their normal state, and retaining normal pituitary secretion of other hormones to prevent recurrence of the condition (Hopper, 2012, p.425)
Works Cited
Hopper, Teressa. (2012). “Endocrine System.” Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Principles and Practice. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Inc.
Fundukian, Laurie. (2011). “Acromegaly and Gigantism.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Detroit, MI: Gale Virtual Reference Library.
Frey, Rebecca. (2009). “Multiple: Gigantism.” UXL Encyclopedia of Diseases and Disorders. Detroit, MI: Gale Virtual Reference Library.
McGurgan, Holly. (2012, June 30). “Gigantism” Healthline.com. Retrieved from
http://www.healthline.com/health/gigantism
First I will be discussing about the thyroid gland, so the thyroid gland is a gland in the neck that secretes hormones. These hormones regulate growth and development, and metabolism. The main hormone secreted is Thyroxine. So when a person like Margie is diagnosed with hypothyroidism it means the thyroid gland does not secrete enough hormones. As many females get over the age of 50, they are more at risk of developing hypothyroidism. The symptoms
There is also counseling, with peer support, and support groups this can be very helpful. There are 3 support groups I found, National Adrenal Diseases Foundation, The MAGIC foundation, and the CARES foundation. All of them are focused to improve the lives of individuals with this disease.
In July of this year, the FDA announced growth hormones, traditionally reserved for people with growth disorders, will be made available for use by children who are naturally short (Bailey). According to Bailey, “pediatric endocrinologists are permitted to prescribe HGH for children whose predicted adult height is below 4 feet 11 inches for women and 5 feet 3 inches for men” (Bailey). HGH is not a new drug; it has been used for years and prescribed for those with growing disorders. The number of patients for whom the drug is prescribed is expected to increase because of the new FDA ruling. The FDA ruling states use of the drug is no longer just for those with growth disorders (Bailey).
Acromegaly is a pituitary gland disorder that is an unusual and rare disease that comes from the hypersecretion of growth hormone during adulthood. It is rare in that acromegaly occurs in about 5 cases per million per year (Lugo 2011). Acromegaly if often labeled as a prolonged metabolic condition that is characterized by steady enlargement or elongation of facial bones and extremities (Thibodeau, 2013). This paper will explain the disease and how it affects the body, how one who has the disease might act and how to diagnose the disorder, and how to treat the disorder and ways for prevention of acromegaly.
particularly if the treatment is started at a young age (Ross par. 15). The growth hormone treatment can eventually increase the girl’s final adult height by several inches.
The thyroid gland is found in the front of the neck and produces two main hormones. The hormones are called thuroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Together these hormones regulate the body’s metabolism by increasing energy use in cells, regulate growth and development, help to maintain body temperature and aid in oxygen consumption. These two hormones are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus senses changes in body’s metabolic rate and releases a hormone known as thyropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then flows through connecting vessels to the pituitary gland which signals it to release another hormone. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then makes its way to the bloodstream until it reaches the thyroid where it is then signaled to activate T3 and T4 production [1]. This mechanism is controlled by a negative feedback loop meaning that when there is a sufficient amount of thyroid hormones in the blood stream, this will signal back to stop production of thyroid stimulating hormones. Complications occur when the thyroid hormones keep increasing even though there is already a sufficient amount of T3 and T4 in the blood stream. This process of over expression of thryroid hormones is known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a general term that includes any disease that has a consequence of an overabundance of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a general term but there are many variant diseases that are in the hyperthyroidism category. These diseases include diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow’s disease, thyrotoxicosis, Parry’s and Graves’ disease.
Children with Hutchinson-Gilford are born looking normal and healthy, but during their first year of life certain symptoms start to appear (Gordon). A child’s height and weight begin to fall below the average for their age, and their joints begin to stiffen (...
Best of child development: Physical milestones. (2003). Scholastic Parent & Child, 10(6), Retrieved February 19, 2014 from http://search.proquest.com/health/textgraphic/210652910/TextPlusGraphics/107581FDBF8A42F6PQ/1/2?accountid=35796
Children come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their genetic blueprints determine how fast and how big they will grow. Some children are destined to grow slowly while others make rapid leaps in development. Genetic, environmental, hormonal, nutritional and behavioral factors work together to determine a child's rate of growth. As the caregiver, your job is to provide the right materials for growth - a wide variety of nutritious foods.
The main cause of a child being born with proportionate dwarfism is if their parents also happen to be affected with this condition. Proportionate dwarfism can also occur when the body does not produce enough growth hormone. This can be present at birth if there is problems with the pituitary gland or it can be linked as part of another condition. Proportionate dwarfism can also occur during childhood if there is an injury to
As newborn, children with Progeria usually appear normal at birth. However, within a year their growth rate slows and they soon are much smaller and weigh less than other children they age. Then later they begin to accelerate aging and some signs of progeria may start. Growth failure, Loss of body, Loss of hair, Skin starts to look aged, Stiffness in the joint, Hip dislocation, Generalized atherosclerosis, and stroke are all symptoms that child with Progeria will have. Children who suffer from Progeria are genetically susceptible to premature, progressive heart disease (Davis 2). Progeria appears to occur without cause and it is not seen in siblings of affected children. Children with Progeria have a surprisingly appearance.
While every child’s development varies during middle childhood, most children will typically grow “two (2) to three (3) inches each year between the ages of six (6) and eleven (11) and approximately double their weight during that period (Papalia 284).” Due to the loss of baby fat, at this stage of development, children resemble mini adults. This is evident in
Swan, S.H., F. Liu, J.W. Overstreet, C. Brazil, and N.E. Skakkebaek. "Growth Hormones Fed to
In the case of physiologic gynecomastia the disease can occur in a newborn baby, at puberty or at any time in a man's life. In the newborn, transient enlargement of the breast is due to the action of maternal and/or placental estrogens. The enlargement usually disappears within a few weeks. Adolescent gynecomastia is common during puberty with the onset at the median age of 14. It is often asymmetrical and frequently tender.
On the average, a newborn baby weighs 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) and is 53 cm (21 in) long, with the head disproportionately larger than the lower part of the body. As the child grows, increments in height are greatest from birth to three years; thereafter they are relatively constant until adolescence. The growth spurt at adolescence is far less than during infancy. Weight increments are also large during the first three years but are equally large during adolescence. Research shows that growth rates are influenced by the health of the child. Rates of development decelerate during illness; after an illness is cured, however, growth rates accelerate until children attain their appropriate height and weight.