The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, which is responsible for controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other hormone-producing glands. In pituitary gigantism, there is excessive secretion of growth hormone before the child reaches adolescence due to over activity of the pituitary gland. As a result, your child’s height will end up growing abnormally as compared to other children of comparable age and gender.

The most common cause of gigantism is an adenoma, which is a non-cancerous tumour of the pituitary gland. The tumour can cause excessive secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Other, less common causes of pituitary gigantism include disorders called carney complex, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and Neurofibromatosis Type 1, which cause tumours in tissues, endocrine glands and the nervous system, respectively. Another disease called the McCune-Albright syndrome, in which there is abnormal growth of bone tissue may also be responsible for pituitary gigantism.

Gigantism is a childhood condition that causes excessive growth in height, and also in girth, before the child’s growth plates fuse and harden.

When to seek expert advise

Children suffering from gigantism are also at a greater risk for developing other tumours of the body and should be frequently assessed by a Paediatric Endocrinologist. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for your child’s paediatrician to be able to start the treatment to prevent your child from growing larger than normal.

Therefore, regular visits to your child’s Paediatric Endocrinologist working with the Department of Paediatrics of The Aga Khan University Hospital in the initial months of his/ her life are important for the paediatrician to identify any abnormal growth in height and weight. If you suspect that your child’s growth is much more than those of his/ her peers, immediate medical attention must be sought so that early diagnosis and treatment can be started if required.

Disclaimer

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.