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Gigantism

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Definition:

Gigantism is an excessive secretion of growth hormone during childhood, before the closure of the bone growth plates. This excess growth hormone causes overgrowth of the long bones and very tall stature.

Alternative Names:

Giantism

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of excess growth hormone secretion is most often a benign pituitary gland tumor . Gigantism may also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS), neurofibromatosis, or Carney complex.

If excessive secretion of growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly .

The vertical growth in height that marks this condition is also accompanied by growth in muscles and organs, which makes the child extremely large for his or her age. The disorder can also delay puberty.

Gigantism is very rare.

• Review Date: 8/11/2006
• Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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