All you need to know about growth hormone deficiency
Children suffering from growth hormone deficiencies are usually short and look young for their age as their physical development and bone growth are delayed. However, their bodies are in normal proportion and they have normal intelligence and facial features. As the term suggests, growth hormone deficiency (GHD) occurs when the pituitary gland produces insufficient growth hormones than required for the body. Hormones are chemicals that are dissolved in the bloodstreams, giving information to different parts of the body. The growth hormone is released by the pituitary gland in the brain and stimulates the growth of organs, muscles, and bones. Growth hormone deficiency is caused due to a problem in the pituitary gland or missing gland, which could lead to a lack of growth hormone. The levels of growth hormone deficiency can vary from mild to severe. GHD is generally noticed more in children than in adults, affecting 1 in 3000 children, mainly boys. Growth hormone deficiency is curable and, with careful management, most of the patients can live a normal and peaceful life. Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency Children hit with growth hormone deficiency are generally shorter than their peers are and have a young and round face. Even though their body proportions are normal, they may seem a little chubby or may have baby fat around their belly.