dwarfism, pituitary

dwarfism, pituitary Dwarfism caused by a lack of growth hormone, usually due to malfunction of the anterior pituitary gland. Children with growth hormone deficiency may grow normally for the first 2 to 3 years of life, but they then fall behind their peers in height. Unlike those with other forms of dwarfism, those with pituitary dwarfism are normally proportioned. Pituitary dwarfism can be treated with injections of human growth hormone during childhood. Also known as hypopituitary dwarfism. See also pituitary, anterior.