Severe GH deficiency in early childhood also results in slower muscular development, so that gross motor milestones such as standing, walking, and jumping may be delayed.

When severe GH deficiency is present from birth and never treated, adult heights can be as short as 48-65В inches (122вЂ“165В cm). It tends to be accompanied by delayed physical maturation so that bone maturation and puberty may be several years delayed. Growth is not as severely affected in GH deficiency as in untreated hypothyroidism, but growth at about half the usual velocity for age is typical. From late in the first year until mid-teens, poor growth and/or shortness is the hallmark of childhood GH deficiency. Д®ven congenital GH deficiency does not usually impair length growth until after the first few months of life. Besides micropenis in males, additional consequences of severe deficiency in the first days of life can include hypoglycemia and exaggerated jaundice (both direct and indirect hyperbilirubinemia). However, prenatal and congenital deficiency can reduce the size of a male's penis, especially when gonadotropins are also deficient. Severe prenatal deficiency of GH, as occurs in congenital hypopituitarism, has little effect on fetal growth. Most types occur equally in males and females though males are more often diagnosed. The genetic forms of this disease are estimated to affect about 1 in 7,000 people. Most cases are initially noticed in children. The frequency of the condition is unclear. Treatment is by growth hormone replacement using synthetic human growth hormone. Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure growth hormone levels. Some cases are associated with a lack of other pituitary hormones, in which case it is known as combined pituitary hormone deficiency. The underlying mechanism generally involves problems with the pituitary gland. In a third of cases no cause is apparent. Genes that may be involved include GH1, GHRHR, or BTK. Causes may include genetics, trauma, infections, tumors, or radiation therapy.

GHD can be present at birth or develop later in life. In adults there may be decreased muscle mass, high cholesterol levels, or poor bone density. Newborns may also present low blood sugar or a small penis size.

Generally the most noticeable symptom is that an individual attains a short height. Growth hormone deficiency ( GHD), or human growth hormone deficiency, is a medical condition resulting from not enough growth hormone (GH). Small for gestational age, Turner syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome Genetics, trauma, infections, tumors, radiation therapy Low blood sugar, high cholesterol levels, poor bone density Medical condition Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormones