High Growth

High growth is present when the body length is above the 97th percentile, i.e. only 3% of those of the same age are taller. With adults in Germany this is the case with women over 180cm and men over 192cm, although there is not necessarily a pathology. In familial (original) high growth, growth is not pathological, the proportions and size of the internal organs are adapted to each other.

High growth can also occur in proportion or disproportion. Certain chromosomal alterations can lead to both proportionate and disproportionate regrowth. Certain hormonal changes, such as the excessive release of growth hormones, can lead to regrowth.

Several affected organs can be affected: in the brain, the hypothalamus (e.g., in Sotos syndrome) or the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland (acromegaly), the adrenal glands, the thyroid (high growth due to hyperthyroidism) or the gonads. In some cases, a tumor (benign or malignant) is found in the corresponding organs, which produces increased amounts of hormones and releases them into the bloodstream. Click here for the main article: High Growth

Diagnosis

The direction in which a diagnosis is made depends on the onset of the growth disturbances and the accompanying symptoms. Congenital growth disorders discovered before birth or in the first months of life are often due to a genetic defect. The combination of certain symptoms directs the suspicion to specific diseases and syndromes, so that special genetic tests can be carried out.

In the case of acquired growth disorders, the accompanying symptoms are indicative. Celiac disease is a possible cause of additional diarrhea and is diagnosed by gastroscopy. A thyroid dysfunction or altered concentrations of growth hormones can be detected by determining hormone concentrations in the blood. The patient’s medical history can be used to determine the cause of the diarrhea, such as broken bones or medication (cortisone).

Treatment/Therapy

A growth disorder is treated by eliminating the underlying cause as far as possible:

In case of a thyroid gland dysfunction, a normal metabolic state can be achieved with medication.
In the case of celiac disease, it is essential to avoid gluten completely.
Broken bones should always be correctly treated and stabilized as soon as possible to prevent growth disorders.
If medical therapies such as cortisone are the cause of growth disorders, the dosage should be adjusted.
In the case of genetic diseases (brittle bone disease) or syndromes (Down syndrome) a causal treatment is not possible. Through individual weighing up, it must be decided whether artificial growth hormones should be injected here.
In some cases there is a small or tall stature without disease value (constitutional, familial). In these cases, treatment is not absolutely necessary, but it can improve the quality of life.