Growth hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, regulates the growth and development of the body. A deficiency of this hormone in childhood leads to dwarfism, where individuals are much shorter than average.
What role does the growth hormone play in regulating the growth and development of the body, and how does a deficiency of this hormone in childhood result in a specific condition?
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The growth hormone (GH) plays a crucial role in regulating the growth and development of the body, particularly during childhood. GH stimulates the growth of bones and tissues by promoting cell division and protein synthesis. A deficiency of growth hormone during childhood can lead to a condition known as dwarfism or pituitary dwarfism. In pituitary dwarfism, individuals have shorter stature than average due to inadequate growth hormone production. Treatment with synthetic growth hormone can help address this deficiency, promoting proper growth and development in affected individuals. GH deficiency underscores the hormone’s pivotal role in normal physical development.