Growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare disease. The disease is characterized by the pituitary gland not secreting sufficient growth hormone. About 1 in 4,000 to 10,000 people are affected by the disease. GHD can be present from birth (congenital), resulting from genetic mutations or from structural defects in the brain. It can also be acquired later in life as a result of trauma, infection, radiation therapy, or tumor growth within the brain. A third category has no known or diagnosable cause (idiopathic).