Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children and Adolescents
-
J. Argente
,
S.A.S. Abusrewil
Abstract
Although it is difficult to reach international agreement on the definition of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents, great efforts to do so have been made during the last two decades. A somewhat limited definition of GHD is: a combination of auxological, clinical, biochemical and metabolic abnormalities caused by lack or insufficiency of GH secretion that results in a decrease in the production of GH-dependent hormones and growth factors. Its aetiology is very complex. Therefore, specific studies must be performed during different periods of childhood (neonatal, prepubertal and pubertal periods). Auxological parameters, particularly growth velocity (GV), are still considered the best clinical measures for analysing human growth. The spectacular advances in our understanding of molecular biology during the past twenty years have allowed, and will continue to allow, a more and more precise diagnosis of the molecular anomalies of human growth. This will, in turn, allow changes caused by genetic lesions to be more efficiently distinguished from those due to nutritional, organic, tumoural, psychological or traumatic causes. Our knowledge of the molecular bases of undergrowth due to a deficiency in GH has developed as a result of the localisation and characterisation of human genes which code for proteins implicated in the hormonal regulation of growth. These genes include pituitary GH (GH1), pituitary transcription factor 1 (Pit-1), the prophet of Pit-1 (PROP-1), the pituitary; transcription factor LHX3, the transcription factor HESX1 and the GH-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHr). In addition, magnetic resonance imaging is the best available imaging method for the evaluation of size and structure of the pituitary and the parasellar region.
© 2016 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Titelei
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Opening Remarks
- Factors Determining Final Height in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Management of Puberty for Optimal Auxological Results in β-Thalassaemia Major
- Unresolved Problems Concerning Optimal Therapy of Puberty in Children with Chronic Renal Diseases
- Management of Puberty in Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty
- Turner’s Syndrome
- Idiopathic Short Stature
- Current Concepts in Tall Stature and Overgrowth Syndromes
- Optimal Therapy of Pubertal Disorders in Precocious/Early Puberty
- Unresolved Problems in Optimal Therapy of Pubertal Disorders in Oncological and Bone Marrow Transplanted Patients
- Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children and Adolescents
- Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency: Management of Puberty for Optimal Auxological Results
- Concluding Remarks
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Titelei
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Opening Remarks
- Factors Determining Final Height in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Management of Puberty for Optimal Auxological Results in β-Thalassaemia Major
- Unresolved Problems Concerning Optimal Therapy of Puberty in Children with Chronic Renal Diseases
- Management of Puberty in Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty
- Turner’s Syndrome
- Idiopathic Short Stature
- Current Concepts in Tall Stature and Overgrowth Syndromes
- Optimal Therapy of Pubertal Disorders in Precocious/Early Puberty
- Unresolved Problems in Optimal Therapy of Pubertal Disorders in Oncological and Bone Marrow Transplanted Patients
- Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children and Adolescents
- Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency: Management of Puberty for Optimal Auxological Results
- Concluding Remarks
