Growth disorders are conditions that cause faster or slower growth than usual. People with these disorders may have unusually sized limbs and body parts or may be taller or shorter than expected.

Being taller or shorter than average may not indicate a growth disorder. However, excessively fast or slow growth in babies could indicate a genetic issue or underlying disease.

There are several potential causes of growth disorders in babies, which can require varying methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Some types may cause health complications, although many people with growth disorders live long, healthy lives.

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A growth disorder is a health issue that prevents a child from growing and physically developing as expected. These include certain syndromes, genetic disorders, and hormone imbalances.

A taller or shorter than average stature may not indicate a growth disorder. Some people inherit their height from their parents and may naturally be taller or shorter because of this.

However, growth disorders cause excessively fast or slow growth. They can affect a person’s features, including their height and weight, and may also interfere with sexual maturity and development.

A person with a growth disorder may haveTrusted Source underlying health concerns that require treatment. Healthcare professionals associate some complications with certain growth disorders, such as pain and mobility issues.

There are different potential causes of growth disorders. These include:Trusted Source

Growth disorders that affect babies may cause excessive or slower-than-usual growth. They may affect growth in certain areas or the entire body.

Some growth disorders may be present at birth but may not become evident until later in life.

Growth disorders in babies include the following.

Short stature

Various growth disorders can cause short stature, which healthcare professionals define as a height below the third percentileTrusted Source.

  • Achondroplasia: Achondroplasia is a type of dwarfism that commonly causes short stature. It causes disproportionate height, in which the limbs, head, and trunk feature different proportions.
  • Turner syndrome: Turner syndrome is a genetic condition that affects females and can lead to short stature and underdevelopment of the ovaries.
  • Noonan syndrome: Characteristics of Noonan syndrome include short stature, bone development issues, distinctive facial features, and heart and bleeding problems.
  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS): PWS is typically present from birth but may not be evident until later in life. It often causesTrusted Source short stature, sexual underdevelopment, low muscle tone, and chronic hunger. Infants with PWS may have a lack of appetite and be difficult to feed.
  • Growth hormone deficiency (GHD): GHD occurs when the pituitary gland does not secrete enough growth hormone. It can cause a very slow growth rate and slow bone development.

Macrosomia

Babies born with macrosomia are much largerTrusted Source than average for their gestational age and weigh over 8 pounds 13 ounces.

Babies with the condition may have higher risks of various health complications, including metabolic imbalances and congenital issues such as heart disease.

Gigantism

Gigantism is a disorder in which the pituitary gland overproduces growth hormone. The disorder may develop over time and may not be evident in babies.

People with gigantism may haveTrusted Source an increased risk of certain health complications, such as:

Sotos syndrome

Sotos syndrome causes rapid growth. Its characteristics include tall stature, a larger-than-usual head, distinctive facial features, and developmental delays.

People with Sotos syndrome may haveTrusted Source a higher risk of developing cancer, congenital heart abnormalities, and scoliosis.

Some signs of certain growth disorders may be identifiable during pregnancy, birth, or infancy. These include being atypically small or large for their age.

Certain physical characteristics, such as distinctive facial features, may also indicate certain growth disorders in babies. For example, features of Noonan syndrome include widely spaced eyes, a deep groove between the mouth and nose, and low, backward-rotated ears.

Babies with certain growth disorders, such as PWS, may also display signs such asTrusted Source difficulties with feeding.

A doctor may diagnose a growth disorder in a baby through various tests and examinations. These can include:

  • physical examinations
  • ultrasounds during pregnancy to view the size of the fetus
  • observation over time to monitor the baby’s growth
  • genetic testing of the fetus during pregnancy or after birth
  • blood tests to assess hormone levels
  • X-rays to assess the growth and maturity of bones and internal organs
  • other imaging tests, such as MRI scans, to detect pituitary or hypothalamus problems
  • bone marrow biopsies to detect conditions relating to certain growth disorders

Treatment for growth disorders can vary depending on the type, underlying causes, and possible complications.

Doctors may use growth hormone injections to treat hormone-related disorders that cause short stature.

Treatment for fetal macrosomia may involveTrusted Source close monitoring during pregnancy and a diet and exercise plan for the pregnant person.

Doctors may treatTrusted Source gigantism with medication and recommend radiation and surgery to remove pituitary tumors.

Treatment for Sotos syndrome typically aims to address specific symptoms as they arise. These can include eye treatments, speech therapy, and blood pressure management.

What are the most common growth disorders?

Disorders that cause short stature are the most commonTrusted Source growth disorders. These include achondroplasia, GHD, and Turner syndrome.

What disorders cause short stature in children?

Several disorders can cause short stature in children, including:

  • GHD
  • achondroplasia
  • Turner syndrome
  • Noonan syndrome
  • PWS
  • Down syndrome
  • pituitary tumors
  • conditions that affect collagen and bone production
  • malnutrition
  • certain chronic diseases
  • heart, lung, kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal diseases
  • hypothyroidism

Growth disorders are health conditions that cause excessively fast or slow growth. Growth disorders in babies include short stature, fetal macrosomia, gigantism, and Sotos syndrome.

Growth disorders can affect a person’s stature and physical features. They may lead to health complications, which can include heart conditions, sexual underdevelopment, and bone and joint problems.

There are various causes of growth disorders, including hormonal imbalances, genetics, metabolic conditions, and environmental factors.

Doctors treat growth disorders differently according to their type, underlying causes, and associated complications.