Clinically, growth retardation is mainly characterized by short stature, with or without mental retardation, and non-development of secondary sexual characteristics. For growth retardation caused by endocrine disorders, the treatment options vary depending on the symptoms and manifestations.
Hypothyroidism
Children with this cause are short in stature, sometimes with disproportionate limbs, slow dental development, and mental retardation; adolescents may also have hoarse voice p little speech p swollen face p enlarged thyroid gland p hair loss p dry skin p slow pulse p weight gain and drowsiness. If these symptoms appear, a clear diagnosis can be made by checking the thyroid function.
Treatment: Only timely thyroid hormone supplementation is needed to improve the symptoms significantly.
Pituitary dwarfism
Children with pituitary dwarfism may be born with normal length and weight, but after a few months, the growth of the body is delayed, mostly at the age of 2 to 3 years, and the difference with children of the same age is significant; the growth rate is extremely slow, but the body is generally proportional; in adulthood, the height does not exceed 130 cm, the intelligence is normal, the sexual organs do not develop, and the secondary sexual characteristics are absent. These patients have significantly lower growth hormone levels, and nearly 80% of them have an unknown cause and are often diagnosed as idiopathic growth hormone deficiency dwarfism. Patients may also have secondary hypothalamic-pituitary tumors, such as craniopharyngioma p neurofibroma, or intracranial infections.
Treatment: The application of human growth hormone replacement supplementation therapy is effective in 80% of patients. In patients with secondary pituitary dwarfism, such as intracranial tumors, surgical treatment is available.
Turner syndrome
It is also known as congenital hypoplasia syndrome due to the absence of an X chromosome. The main manifestations are short stature, usually no more than 150 cm, which may be accompanied by mild mental retardation, amenorrhea, peculiar facial features, and non-development of secondary sexual characteristics.
Treatment: There is no cure, but mainly hormonal treatment for hypogonadism. The birth of a person with Turner syndrome can be avoided if genetic testing is done before conceiving again.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome
This is a cytogenetic disorder, mostly with chromosomal abnormalities and an extra X chromosome, also known as testicular varicocele dysplasia. The main manifestations are hypoplasia of the secondary sex characteristics, absence of laryngeal nodes, beard, axillary and pubic hair, small testes, but tall stature, up to 170 cm or more, and lower body longer than the upper body, and normal or mildly impaired intelligence.
Treatment: Androgen replacement therapy is required.
Others: Such as chondrodysplasia, glycogen accumulation disorder and mucopolysaccharidosis can also lead to growth retardation. The former is an autosomal dominant disorder and there is no special treatment for it; the latter two are caused by enzyme deficiency and can be treated for their causes.
During the development of children, parents should pay close attention to their children’s development such as intelligence, height, weight and secondary sex characteristics, and seek medical attention when problems are detected.
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Growth retardation refers to the phenomenon of slowing down or stopping the growth process, with a prevalence of 6-8%. At present, it is believed that in addition to endocrine diseases causing growth retardation there are the following factors.
1, genetic factors: can be manifested as familial short stature.
2, maternal factors: nutritional deficiencies, emotional abnormalities, use of drugs p receiving radiation and the environment of pregnant women can have a great impact on the growth and development of the fetus.
3.Nutrition and distribution: Adequate nutrition supply and balanced nutrients for children play an important role in growth and development.
4, chronic diseases: such as chronic infection, chronic liver disease, malnutrition, congenital heart disease, congenital renal tubular disease, etc. can lead to delayed growth and development of children.