Final answer:
Growth hormone therapy is FDA approved for use in children with idiopathic short stature who are below the 5th percentile for height. Pituitary dwarfism results from GH deficiency and can severely limit growth, while excess GH can cause gigantism in children or acromegaly in adults.
Step-by-step explanation:
Growth hormone (GH) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in regulating the growth and development of children. GH therapy is approved by the FDA for children with idiopathic short stature who fall below the 5th percentile of height for their age and gender. This means that their height is less than that of 95% of children in the same age group. Conditions such as pituitary dwarfism may result from insufficient levels of GH, leading to reduced growth and height significantly below average. Conversely, overproduction of GH can cause gigantism in children, where they grow excessively tall, sometimes over eight feet, or in adults, it can cause acromegaly, which is characterized by the enlargement of bones in the face, hands, and feet.