Health Conditions

What causes it?

Growth hormone deficiency can be a congenital condition (the individual is born with the disorder) or an acquired condition (the individual develops the condition later in life). The condition is considered partial if some growth hormone is produced (but not enough for normal development) or absolute if no hormone is produced.

Individuals with congenital GHD usually have the absolute version of the condition. The cause of congenital GHD is thought to be a genetic abnormality. Acquired GHD, by contrast, is usually partial in nature and can result from any of the following:

• A tumor in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
• Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland from radiation treatment to the head or neck area
• Brain damage from head trauma
• An infection of the central nervous system (for example, meningitis)
• An underactive thyroid gland, which controls the functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Use of prescription drugs such as corticosteroids (for example, prednisone), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine (Adderall), which can decrease or inhibit the release of growth hormone