Gigantism

Alternative names:

giantism

Definition:

An excessive secretion of the growth hormone that occurs in childhood before the closure of the bone growth plates, resulting in the overgrowth of the long bones.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The vertical growth in height is also accompanied by growth in muscles and organs. Delayed puberty may be present as well. The cause for the excess growth hormone is most often caused by a pituitary gland tumor. If an excessive secretion of growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly.