A 6-year-old girl is brought to the office by her mother due to a concern about her rapid growth. She is the tallest student in her class. Physical examination reveals Tanner Stage 3 breast development and coarse pubic hair. The child's height is in the 96th percentile. You explain to her mother that, although this girl is very tall now, she will ultimately be shorter than average if she does not get treatment. Which of the following is the physiologic explanation for the information you provided?

Question

A 6-year-old girl is brought to the office by her mother due to a concern about her rapid growth. She is the tallest student in her class. Physical examination reveals Tanner Stage 3 breast development and coarse pubic hair.  The child's height is in the 96th percentile.  You explain to her mother that, although this girl is very tall now, she will ultimately be shorter than average if she does not get treatment.  Which of the following is the physiologic explanation for the information you provided?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Sex hormones promote both growth and epiphyseal plate closure; hence, precocious puberty may result in a shorter stature, despite an initial growth spurt.  Gigantism is caused by excessive pituitary production of growth hormone; these patients achieve enormous heights because, unlike excessive sex steroids, excessive IGF-1 does not lead to premature closure of the epiphysis.

A 6-Year-Old Girl Is Brought to the Office by Her