ABSTRACT
Disorders involving the growth hormone (GH) pathway that result in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) deficiency may be congenital or acquired. Congenital GH deficiency (GHD) is associated with structural malformations of the central nervous system, hypothalamus, or pituitary. IGF-I deficiency/resistance may result from genetic defects involving critical factors in the embryologic development of the pituitary or in the cascade from hypothalamic stimulation of GH release to completion of IGF effects on growth. Acquired abnormalities affecting the GH/IGF axis range from damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary region from trauma, tumors, infection, autoimmune disease, or radiation, to a broad spectrum of chronic conditions characterized by catabolism.
