Growth Failure in Children Topic Guide

Child abuse is defined as a variety of abnormal behaviors directed against children. It can take many forms. Child abuse may be in the form of: sexual abuse, pedophilia, physical abuse, child neglect, emotional neglect and abuse, failure to thrive, and Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused by an extra chromosome 21. Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. Other variations of Down syndrome include Robertsonian translocation and partial/segmental trisomy, and mosaic Down syndrome. There is no treatment for Down syndrome.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is a disorder that involves the pituitary gland, which produces growth hormone and other hormones. People affected by growth hormone deficiency may have short stature and a variety of health problems. Treatments include hormone replacement therapy and other measures, depending on the root cause of the deficiency.

When the pituitary gland at the base of the brain fails to produce enough human growth hormone, it causes all sorts of symptoms in children with the deficiency. They include: Short height for child's age, Increased fat around the waist and in the face, Feeling upset about his or her height, The child may look younger than other children his or her age, Delayed onset of puberty, and Delayed tooth development. Treatments include hormone replacement therapy.

Growth hormone deficiency is a disorder of the pituitary gland in the brain which produces growth hormone. A lack of growth hormone in children causes abnormally slow growth; and the deficiency may be caused by a birth defect or any number of acquired conditions like brain cancer or infection. Depending on the cause of the deficiency, children may have to receive growth hormone injections or other therapy as the underlying condition warrants.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Causes of hypothyroidism include: Hashimotot's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, previous thyroid therapy, drug-induced, Pituitary or hypothalamic disease, and iron deficiency. Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism are: fatigue, constipation, weight gain, poor appetite, dry and rough skin, coarse hair, hair loss, edema, depression, and elevated cholesterol levels. Treatment of hypothyroidism is generally with medication.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanner that takes cross-sectional images of the body. It is used to evaluate tissues of the head, neck, chest, limbs, abdomen, and pelvis. MRI is a very safe procedure; sedation may be used for infants, small children, or adults who are claustrophobic.

X-Rays are a form of radiation used to image solid forms inside the body. X-rays are administered by radiologists for many different routine tests, such as mammograms, checking for broken bones, upper GI series, and dental exams, among others. Radiologists carefully monitor the X-ray equipment to make sure the patient receives the smallest dose of radiation possible.