2. Dwarfism
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD),
also known as dwarfism or pituitary
dwarfism, is a condition caused by
insufficient amounts of growth
hormone in the body. Children with
GHD have abnormally short
stature with normal body
proportions. GHD can be present at
birth (congenital) or develop later
(acquired).
There is too little secretion of growth
hormones by the pituitary gland, thus
resulting to stunted growth.
3. Symptoms
• Slow growth or absence of growth
• Short stature (below the fifth percentile compared
to other children of the same age and sex)
• Absent or delayed sexual development during
puberty
• Headaches
4. Symptoms of other pituitary hormone
deficiencies that may co-exist with growth
hormone deficiency:
• Absent or delayed sexual development during
puberty
• Increased urination and amount of urine
• Excessive thirst
• Facial abnormalities can be present in a small group
5. Treatment
Some cases of GHD can be treated with
the use of synthetic growth hormone
under the supervision of a pediatric
endocrinologist. If other hormone
deficiencies exist, other hormones can
be given in addition to synthetic growth
hormone.
6. Gigantism
Acromegaly is a hormonal
disorder that develops when
your pituitary gland produces too
much growth hormone during
adulthood.
When you have too much
growth hormone, your bones
increase in size. In childhood,
this leads to increased height
and is called gigantism.
7. SYMPTOMS
• Enlarged hands and feet
• Enlarged facial features, including the facial
bones, lips, nose and tongue
• Coarse, oily, thickened skin
• Excessive sweating and body odor
• Small outgrowths of skin tissue (skin tags)
• Fatigue and joint or muscle weakness
8. • Pain and limited joint mobility
• A deepened, husky voice due to enlarged vocal cords and sinuses
• Severe snoring due to obstruction of the upper airway
• Vision problems
• Headaches, which may be persistent or severe
• Menstrual cycle irregularities in women
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Loss of interest in sex
9. GOITER
A goiter (GOI-tur) is the irregular growth
of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a
butterfly-shaped gland located at the
base of the neck just below the Adam's
apple.
There is an abnormal enlargement of the
thyroid gland due to too much or too
little amount of secreted hormone.
A goiter may be an overall enlargement
of the thyroid, or it may be the result of
irregular cell growth that forms one or
more lumps (nodules) in the thyroid. A
goiter may be associated with no change
in thyroid function or with an increase or
decrease in thyroid hormones.
10. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Increased sleepiness
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Muscle weakness
• Problems with memory or concentration
11. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
• Weight loss
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Increased sensitivity to heat
• Excess sweating
• Tremors
• Irritability and nervousness
13. Children with hyperthyroidism might
also have the following:
•Rapid growth in height
•Changes in behavior
•Bone growth that outpaces expected
growth for the child's age
14. Obstructive goiter
The size or position of a goiter may obstruct the airway
and voice box. Signs and symptoms may include:
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing with exertion
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Snoring
15. CAUSES
Iodine deficiency. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid
hormones. If a person does not get enough dietary iodine, hormone
production drops and the pituitary gland signals the thyroid to make more.
This increased signal results in thyroid growth. In the United States, this
cause is uncommon because of iodine added to table salt.
Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder,
an illness caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues. The
damaged and inflamed tissues of the thyroid don't produce enough
hormones (hypothyroidism). When the pituitary gland detects the decline
and prompts the thyroid to create more hormones, the thyroid can become
enlarged.
16. Graves' disease. Another autoimmune disorder called Graves'
disease occurs when the immune system produces a protein that
mimics TSH. This rogue protein prompts the thyroid to overproduce
hormones (hyperthyroidism) and can result in thyroid growth.
Thyroid nodules. A nodule is the irregular growth of thyroid cells that
form a lump. A person may have one nodule or several nodules
(multinodular goiter). The cause of nodules is not clear, but there may be
multiple factors — genetics, diet, lifestyle and environment. Most thyroid
nodules are noncancerous (benign).
17. Thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is less common than other cancers and
generally treatable. About 5% of people with thyroid nodules are found to
have cancer.
• Pregnancy. A hormone produced during pregnancy, human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG), may cause the thyroid gland to be overactive and
enlarge slightly.
• Inflammation. Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid caused by an
autoimmune disorder, bacterial or viral infection, or medication. The
inflammation may cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
18. Risk factors
Anyone can develop a goiter. It may be present at birth or occur at
any time throughout life. Some common risk factors for goiters
include:
• A lack of dietary iodine. Iodine is found primarily in seawater and in
the soil in coastal areas. In the developing world in particular, people
who don't have enough iodine in their diets or access to food
supplemented with iodine are at increased risk. This is rare in the
United States.
• Being female. Women are more likely to develop a goiter or other
thyroid disorders.
• Pregnancy and menopause. Thyroid problems in women are more
likely to occur during pregnancy and menopause.
19. • Age. Goiters are more common after age 40.
• Family medical history. Family medical history of goiters or
other thyroid disorders increases the risk of goiters. Also,
researchers have identified genetic factors that may be
associated with an increased risk.
• Medications. Some medical treatments, including the heart
drug amiodarone (Pacerone) and the psychiatric drug lithium
(Lithobid), increase your risk.
• Radiation exposure. Your risk increases if you've had
radiation treatments to your neck or chest area.