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[Psychosomal dwarfism with reversible growth hormone deficiency (author's transl)]
Insights
Psychosocial dwarfism in a child was diagnosed due to severe growth retardation. Environmental changes reversed growth hormone deficiency, leading to catch-up growth and psychological improvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Child Psychology
- Growth Disorders
Abstract:
The diagnosis of psychosocial dwarfism in a 9 year-old boy with severe growth retardation (-6 1/2 standard deviations) was deduced from the typical history. The bone age was severely retarded and in the first days after admission a deficiency of growth hormone and other pituitary hormones was established. The change in environment per se led to a spontaneous reversal of the growth hormone deficiency within a short time. A rapid catch up growth was observed over the subsequent 2 1/2 years, as well as a normalisation of the psychological retardation.