Gigantism

Gigantism is a disorder where there is an abnormally large growth due to excessive production of growth hormone during the childhood. This takes before the bone growth plates have been closed.The main cause of gigantism is too much release of growth hormone which is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. The other causes for gigantism include

• Neurofibromatosis

• McCune-Albright syndrome

• Carney Complex

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Once the normal growth of the bone has stopped but the excess growth hormone still continues, then this condition is referred to as acromegaly. Not only will the child grow in height, but there will be growth in his muscles and organs too. The abnormal growth makes the child comparatively large for his/her age.