Abnormal growth patterns can result from a lack or excess of growth hormone, often due to genetic disorders such as hypopituitarism or Turner syndrome. Skeletal dysplasia and Beckwith-Widemann syndrome are other examples. Diagnosis and treatment aim to limit health risks, but there is no known cure.
Abnormal growth patterns are situations where a certain set of circumstances has led to a lack or too much growth hormone in the body. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and under normal conditions will promote a growth rate considered to be correct. However, when any factor interferes with the hormone production process, the individual may maintain infantile stature and fail to thrive, or undergo an unusual amount of growth in a short period of time. Therefore, growth disturbances include situations in which an individual experiences a stunted growth pattern or one in which growth is excessive.
In most cases, growth disturbances have their origins in genetics. An example of genetic disorders that affect growth patterns is known as hypopituitarism. This is a condition in which the pituitary gland has reduced production from the moment of birth. When hormone production is reduced from the time of birth onwards, the baby will show an abnormal growth pattern of the skeleton, including the face and skull. Growth disorders of this type include Palister-Hall syndrome, anencephaly, and holoprosencephaly.
One of the most common growth disorders in women is known as Turner syndrome. This condition occurs due to missing an X chromosome. The result is a growth pattern known as dwarfism. This condition not only inhibits normal growth development, but can also negatively impact a woman’s ability to conceive.
Skeletal dysplasia is another example of a growth disorder. With this condition, the various parts of the body will be disproportionate to the others. The individual may develop legs that are considered to be of normal height, but have a short trunk or perhaps abnormally short arms.
Beckwith-Widemann syndrome is among the growth disorders related to overgrowth. The abnormal growth begins while the baby is still in the womb and will continue after birth. Over time, the rate of growth will slow, although the individual is usually abnormally tall and may be more susceptible to a number of health problems. Some people with this condition also have fragile bone structure that increases the chance of breaking arms or legs in adolescence and early adulthood.
There are a wide range of subcategories of growth disturbances, many of which are due to endocrine disorders that develop due to an accident or are present at birth. Diagnosis of some form of growth disorder usually occurs early in life, and treatment is usually aimed at limiting the health risks associated with the disorder. There is currently no approved method to reverse ailments of this type, although genetic research continues to pursue a solution to this health condition.
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