Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone.
Alternative Names
Pituitary dwarfism; Acquired growth hormone deficiency; Isolated growth hormone deficiency; Congenital growth hormone deficiency; Panhypopituitarism; Short stature - growth hormone deficiency
Causes
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. This gland controls the body's balance of hormones. It also makes growth hormone. This hormone causes a child to grow.
Growth hormone deficiency may be present at birth. Growth hormone deficiency may be the result of a medical condition. Severe brain injury may also cause growth hormone deficiency.
Children with physical defects of the face and skull, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, may have decreased growth hormone level.
Most of the time, the cause of growth hormone deficiency is unknown.