Gigantism
Defination
Gigantism is a rare condition that causes abnormal growth in children. This change is most notable in terms of height, but girth is affected as well.
It occurs when your child’s pituitary gland makes too much growth hormone, which is also known as somatotropin.
Phatophysiology
Assessment and common findings
Nursing management
Surgical management
Signs and symptoms
very large hands and feet
thick toes and fingers
a prominent jaw and forehead
coarse facial features
severe or recurrent headaches
deafness
delayed puberty in both boys and girls
irregular menstrual periods in girls
excessive sweating
Removing the tumor is the preferred treatment for gigantism if it’s the underlying cause.
The surgeon will reach the tumor by making an incision in your child’s nose.
Microscopes or small cameras may be used to help the surgeon see the tumor in the gland. In most cases, your child should be able to return home from the hospital the day after the surgery.
a prominent jaw and forehead
Causes
sexual development
temperature control
metabolism
urine production
Headaches and visual changes
Deepening of the voice caused by thickening of the vocal cords
Thoracic kyphosis from the weight of the body bulk
Enlargement of tongue and salivary glands, spleen liver, heart and kidneys
Elevated blood pressure
Snoring, sleep apnoea and respiratory failure
Nursing care includes the administration of pituitary hormones, and general nursing care of a patient following surgery for removal of the tumour, radiation therapy or both.
measurement of height
Diagnosis
CT or MR
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels
Usually GH levels
GH and the Endocrine System Growth hormone is normally controlled by two hormones from the hypothalamus: growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), which increases GH secretion from the anterior pituitar
A negative feedback system is also created to inhibit it's secretion, somatostatin inhibits GH.
References
Gigantism can also be related to a hypothalamic mass, which in turn creates GHRH exces
Drimmie, F. M., Maclennan, A. C., Nicoll, J. R., Simpson, E. E., McNeill, E. E., & Donaldson, M. C. (2000).
Gigantism due to growth hormone excess in a boy with optic glioma. Clinical Endocrinology, 53(4), 535-538. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2265.2000.01041.x
Herder, W. (2012). Familial gigantism. Clinics. 75(S1), 29-32. doi:10.6061