How does acromegaly affect children differently than adults?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Acromegaly is an adult-specific disease. When children produce too much growth hormone in their bodies, it causes gigantism instead of acromegaly. The reason that the disease affects the age groups differently comes down to bones. Since children's bones are still growing, high levels of growth hormone causes their bones to grow excessively. However, because adults are no longer growing, too much growth hormone in the body causes bone deformity.

Continue Learning about Acromegaly

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

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Joshua B. Bederson, MD

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Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

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Acromegaly

Commonly referred to as gigantism in children, acromegaly is a rare disorder that causes the body to produce too much growth hormone. Six out of every 100,000 adults suffer from this disorder. Abnormal growth in the legs, chest, arms and head are symptoms of the acromegaly. Gradual changes may occur in the face and cause protrusion of the lower jaw and brows, widen the nose and cause spacing in the teeth. These changes are slow and may not be obvious until years later. In some cases, people with acromegaly were able to detect the disorder by comparing the changes to old photographs. Early diagnosis is imperative to treating acromegaly. Surgery of the pituitary gland and radiation options for treating the disorder. If you suspect you have symptoms of acromegaly, contact your family doctor for a medical evaluation.

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